UNMIK chief of the Security Council criticises the government: Restricting Self - Defense

UNMIK's Kosovo mission chief, Caroline Ziadeh, at the Security Council session has criticised the Government of Kosovo, as it said, unilateral actions taken in the country's north.

Ziadeh said civil society and local political leaders in the north complain of closing the centres for social work led by Serbia and the socio-economic impact they have had.

According to Ziadehi, Kosovo's local Serbs see no alternative to the EU facilitated dialogue and the need that, according to her, Kosovo Serbs to “translate a sense of skill in understanding the system of self-awareness within the Association of Serb Majors”.

“They call on the international community to support all efforts for a renewed confidence commitment under the normalisation process. The parties have also raised concern over the alleged sexual harassment of a Serb in public. All those claims should be investigated. From time to time, I have expressed my concerns about the closure of Serbia-led institutions and the consequences they have on social and economic rights, especially those who are vulnerable to”.

“U n NMIC will continue to monitor that impact. I reiterate my call to refrain from unilateral actions and encourage that the remaining issues be discussed within the framework of the EU facilitated dialogue”.

The Kosovo Government's late decision to register civil statute documents is welcome. This is an important component in dealing with the civil status issues facing Serb residents in particular. However, there are shortcomings remaining in terms of the extent, interpretation and implementation of that decision. Encourage the advancement of efforts to contact communities by supporting the duration of the deadline currently at April 30th”, Ziadeh said.

Ziadeh during her speech has condemned the terrorist attack on the Iber-Lepenci channel, where she reiterated her call for a comprehensive investigation into bringing all those responsible to justice, as she also condemned the attack that took place at the Kosovo Post facility in Zvecan on 1 April.

“I encourage all leaders to act responsibly, to avoid eskating, to cooperate to bring leaders to justice. More than a year since the serious security incident in Banjska, I reiterate the importance of providing accountability through fair and independent judicial procedures”.

This case and that of Iber-Lepenci stress the need for effective engagement with mutual legal assistance mechanisms to support prosecution and investigations. I also want to express my feelings about the explosive device that was thrown into an open post office recently in Zvecan on April 1st. Such acts of violence are unacceptable and should be immediately investigated”, she said.

UNMIK chief in Kosovo further asked the Kosovo Police Inspectorate to investigate the alleged abuses by the Kosovo Police in the north, and, according to her, to see the use of the detention measure.

“I underline the central role of the IPK in ensuring independent investigations regarding allegations of overuse of violence and mistreatment by Kosovo Police, including minors. Encourage those findings to be made public in order to ensure transparency and institutional trust”.

“Until the IPK has opened a number of cases, continuity and disciplinary actions are essential to prevent the repetition of such actions. Encourage authorities to implement the procedures, including the use of alternatives, including the measure of detention”, she said.

In her speech, Ziadeh also mentioned the arrest of 16 Serbs on April 5th and 6th, until the same, without her, were on religious visit to Pec.

The arrest of 16 individuals in Gjakova and Prizren on April 5th and 6th while they were on religious visit to Pec, while most pilgrims have been released, four are on hold for 30 days. In the interest of community rights, full implementation of the law on language use remains a fundamental thing. Note the expiration of the mandate of the foreign commissioner at the beginning of 2025, and reiterated the secretary-general's call for Kosovo authorities to take quick measures to appoint the new commissioner to ensure the promotion and preservation of linguistic rights and communities”.

“The construction of trust remains fundamental to promote a prospering and stable future for all communities in Kosovo. Despite challenges reflecting a lack of trust in institutions, U n The NMIC remains steadfast in its commitment and we have had initiatives supporting rule of law and actively promote the inclusion of women and youth in peace processes”, she said./Periscopi/