OSCE Mission in Kosovo head concerned with attack on newspaper editor, head of journalists association

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 10 December 2014 – The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger expressed today his concern over an attack on newspaper editor and the head of the Association of Kosovo Journalists Zekirja Shabani.

Shabani sought medical assistance on 8 December after reporting to the police a physical and verbal attack against him by his employer and the director of the Prishtinë/Priština-based daily Tribuna.

According to Shabani, the dispute between him and the newspaper director developed over unpaid wages and a law suit Shabani was planning to launch against the paper in this regard, and after Shabani refused to sign an agreement on an early termination of his contract. Shabani was fired on 9 December.

“Journalists in Kosovo have reported to the police more than 20 cases of attacks and intimidation against them during 2014 alone. The last case reported by Mr. Shabani of Tribuna newspaper in which the perpetrator of the attack is his direct employer is particularly concerning as it generated within the media outlet itself,” said Schlumberger. 

“Media houses should be the ones providing protection for their journalist and editors and not be the sources of additional intimidation and physical harm,” added Schlumberger and called on Tribuna and other media outlets in Kosovo to respect the labour law. He also called on the Kosovo Police and the prosecution office to deal with this case with utmost diligence.