OSCE Mission and Kosovo Ministry launch campaign to tackle illegal occupation

PRISTINA, 11 November 2005 - The OSCE Mission in Kosovo, together with Kosovo's Environment and Spatial Planning Ministry, today launched a multi-media public awareness campaign to tackle the issue of illegal occupation of property.

Calling for respect of property rights, the campaign emphasizes that illegal occupation is not a viable or legitimate solution to one's housing needs.

"It is widely recognized that there have been many challenges in the area of property rights and property ownership," said Henry McGowen, Director of the OSCE Mission's Department of Human Rights and Rule of Law, at the launch event.

"We are all very familiar with the reasons and history behind these issues but this campaign wants to focus on the next steps. The first step in resolving this problem is establishing the proper legal framework, as this issue affects all the people of Kosovo," he added.

Stressing the complexity of the issue of property rights, Ardian Gjini, the Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning said, "These rights are not only a standard that Kosovo's people should meet in order to help the rule of law, but they are also important European and international standards to which Kosovo aspires."

The public at large will be made aware of the issues surrounding illegal occupation through television and radio programmes, as well as posters and stickers with the campaign slogan - 'Illegal occupation is not a solution' -placed inside municipal and other institutional buildings and near residential buildings.

Illegal occupation and use of residential and non-residential property is a widespread problem in Kosovo. The campaign primarily focuses on illegal occupation of residential property and its impact on human rights and rule of law principles.

The campaign also seeks to strengthen the understanding that property legislation will be fully implemented and that all property disputes will be resolved and judicial decisions implemented, while creating an understanding that future illegal occupation is not an option.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo, as the institution-building pillar of UNMiK, continues to support and develop Kosovo's Provisional Institutions of Self-Government. To this end, the OSCE and the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning co-chair the Standards Working Group on Property Rights - one of the eight 'Standards for Kosovo'.