UN: arbitrary bans of Kosovo citizens and police officers, escalating action

The US State Department has called on Serbia to refrain from unilateral and uncoordinated actions, and has said it expects the immediate release of Kosovo Deputy Director of Police Dejan Jankovic.

In a response to Radio Free Europe, The UN called on Serbian authorities to act with transparency and full compliance with the law concerning Kosovo citizens banned in Serbia yesterday.

“arbitrary or unfair long-term bans, especially if their goal is Kosovo Police officers, will be seen as escalating actions that undermine peace and stability”, a State Department spokesman for Radio Free Europe said on April 18th.

According to Kosovo authorities, Serbia banned over 1,400 Kosovars as they were passing the transitor through Serbia.

Among the detainees were ten police officials.

Authorities said nine police officials have been released, meanwhile, against Dejan Jankovovic, Serbia has appointed the 48-hour detention measure under the charge of undermining Serbia's constitutional order.

According to the UN, the agreement for free movement between Kosovo and Serbia, reached in the EU-brokered dialogue, “provides clear parameters for the entry and exit of Kosovo citizens in and outside Serbia”.

“Sic has emphasised the European Union, delays like the latter, constitute violations of this” agreement, the UN said.

The State Department said all sides should avoid actions that could jeopardise regional security and stability.

Earlier in the day, calls for the release of Dejan Jankovic also made Jeffrey Hovenir, the US ambassador to Pristina, and Jorn Rohde, German ambassador to Pristina.

Kosovo has accused Serbia of committing serious human rights violations with recent actions and violated agreements reached in dialogue, mediated by the European Union.

Even the European bloc the day before said Serbia, with the ban on travellers and buses from Kosovo, on its borders with Hungary and Croatia, violated the Free Movement Agreement.

Kosovo has said that the ban and <x0maltation” of Kosovo citizens passing through Serbia became “a sign of revenge” after 16 April, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe supported Kosovo's membership in this organisation.

Serbia has said it will work to prevent Kosovo from joining this organisation during the Council of European Council Foreign Ministers' meeting on May 16th. /rel