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Decisions by Kosovo Election Complaints and Appeals Sub-Commission
PRISTINA 19 October 2000
PRISTINA, 19 October 2000 - The Election Complaints and Appeals Sub-Commission (ECAC) in Kosovo took several decisions and handed out judgements to political entities for breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct. These actions were taken at the Sub-Commission session held 17 October 2000
Following are decisions on the cases reviewed.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/086 - Defacing Public and Private Property
Numerous political posters and graffiti of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) were placed on public building and structures, traffic signs and buildings of International Organizations in kenderaj/Srbica. The PDK was asked to remove these posters and graffiti but failed to comply with the warning. The ECAC decided to fine PDK Skenderaj/Srbica 1,000 DEM for violating Electoral Rule 2000/1 and reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/098 - Violence by PDK Supporters
On 21 September 2000, a group of supporters of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) attacked the Lipjan/Lipljan offices of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and officials who were present. The ECAC found PDK Lipjan/Lipljan to have violated Electoral Rule 2000/1 and fines the party branch 2,000 DEM. The ECAC also reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/104 - TMK Presence at Political Rally [PDK]
A public rally of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) took place in Orahovac/Rahovec on 26 September 2000. A member of the Kosovo Protection Corps (TMK) was seen in the crowd in violation of UNMIK Regulation 1999/8 and the Electoral Code of Conduct. Further, the event was not notified in advance to the International Civilian Police. The ECAC decided to fine PDK Orahovac/Rahovec 1,000 DEM and reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/105 - TMK Presence at Political Rally [AAK]
A public rally of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) took place in Malishevë/Malisevo on 28 September 2000. A member of the Kosovo Protection Corps (TMK) was seen in the crowd in violation of UNMIK Regulation 1999/8 and the Electoral Code of Conduct. The ECAC decided to fine AAK Malishevë/Malisevo 500 DEM and reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/109 - Language of Intimidation and Violence
On 30 September 2000, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) held a party gathering in Istog/Istok municipality. During the gathering, members of the audience spoke out loudly against the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), with one in the audience issuing threats to kill the local LDK representative. The ECAC decided that the PDK violated regulations on intimidation and violence by failing to actively condemn the threats. PDK Istok/Istog was fined 500 DEM and the ECAC reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/110 - Public Display and Use of Weapons [AAK]
On 1 October 2000 the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) held a party gathering in Gjakovë/Dakovica municipality. Prior to the gathering an AAK banner was displayed above the main road, while during the rally during which shots were fired in the air. As both actions constitute prohibited actions of the Electoral Code of Conduct, the ECAC fined AAK Gjakovë/Dakovica 1,000 DEM and reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/113 - Notification of Political Event [AAK]
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) failed to give proper notification to the International Civilian Police for a meeting in Viti/Vitina municipality. AAK Viti/Vitina was fined 250 DEM and the ECAC reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/019
In the matter of written death threats received by nine members of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) in Kamenicë/Kosovska Kamenica, the ECAC was unable to establish that the violation that took place was committed by a political entity or its supporters. The ECAC decided that sufficient evidence had not been produced and dismissed the complaint.
ECAC Case Nos. ME 2000/049, 071, 072
These cases were dismissed as the ECAC noted that there was no concrete evidence to support the allegations.
ECAC Case Nos. ME 2000/092
The ECAC dismissed the complaint in the matter of a Kosovo Protection Corps (TMK) member tearing down a poster of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) as a de minimus violation. A copy of this decision will be sent to the relevant body to take appropriate action against the TMK member.
For further information, contact Roland Bless, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel.: (+381-38) 500-162 or satphone: 871-762-009-948, ext. 260 / mobile: (+389-70) 250-576 / e-mail: [email protected] or website: //www.osce.org/kosovo
Following are decisions on the cases reviewed.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/086 - Defacing Public and Private Property
Numerous political posters and graffiti of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) were placed on public building and structures, traffic signs and buildings of International Organizations in kenderaj/Srbica. The PDK was asked to remove these posters and graffiti but failed to comply with the warning. The ECAC decided to fine PDK Skenderaj/Srbica 1,000 DEM for violating Electoral Rule 2000/1 and reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/098 - Violence by PDK Supporters
On 21 September 2000, a group of supporters of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) attacked the Lipjan/Lipljan offices of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and officials who were present. The ECAC found PDK Lipjan/Lipljan to have violated Electoral Rule 2000/1 and fines the party branch 2,000 DEM. The ECAC also reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/104 - TMK Presence at Political Rally [PDK]
A public rally of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) took place in Orahovac/Rahovec on 26 September 2000. A member of the Kosovo Protection Corps (TMK) was seen in the crowd in violation of UNMIK Regulation 1999/8 and the Electoral Code of Conduct. Further, the event was not notified in advance to the International Civilian Police. The ECAC decided to fine PDK Orahovac/Rahovec 1,000 DEM and reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/105 - TMK Presence at Political Rally [AAK]
A public rally of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) took place in Malishevë/Malisevo on 28 September 2000. A member of the Kosovo Protection Corps (TMK) was seen in the crowd in violation of UNMIK Regulation 1999/8 and the Electoral Code of Conduct. The ECAC decided to fine AAK Malishevë/Malisevo 500 DEM and reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/109 - Language of Intimidation and Violence
On 30 September 2000, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) held a party gathering in Istog/Istok municipality. During the gathering, members of the audience spoke out loudly against the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), with one in the audience issuing threats to kill the local LDK representative. The ECAC decided that the PDK violated regulations on intimidation and violence by failing to actively condemn the threats. PDK Istok/Istog was fined 500 DEM and the ECAC reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/110 - Public Display and Use of Weapons [AAK]
On 1 October 2000 the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) held a party gathering in Gjakovë/Dakovica municipality. Prior to the gathering an AAK banner was displayed above the main road, while during the rally during which shots were fired in the air. As both actions constitute prohibited actions of the Electoral Code of Conduct, the ECAC fined AAK Gjakovë/Dakovica 1,000 DEM and reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/113 - Notification of Political Event [AAK]
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) failed to give proper notification to the International Civilian Police for a meeting in Viti/Vitina municipality. AAK Viti/Vitina was fined 250 DEM and the ECAC reserved the right to recommend the removal of a candidate if the fine was not paid.
ECAC Case No. ME 2000/019
In the matter of written death threats received by nine members of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) in Kamenicë/Kosovska Kamenica, the ECAC was unable to establish that the violation that took place was committed by a political entity or its supporters. The ECAC decided that sufficient evidence had not been produced and dismissed the complaint.
ECAC Case Nos. ME 2000/049, 071, 072
These cases were dismissed as the ECAC noted that there was no concrete evidence to support the allegations.
ECAC Case Nos. ME 2000/092
The ECAC dismissed the complaint in the matter of a Kosovo Protection Corps (TMK) member tearing down a poster of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) as a de minimus violation. A copy of this decision will be sent to the relevant body to take appropriate action against the TMK member.
For further information, contact Roland Bless, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel.: (+381-38) 500-162 or satphone: 871-762-009-948, ext. 260 / mobile: (+389-70) 250-576 / e-mail: [email protected] or website: //www.osce.org/kosovo