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Continued lack of security for ethnic minorities in Kosovo
PRISTINA 23 October 2000
PRISTINA, 23 October 2000 - Continuing violence has an impact on the ability of minority communities to access public services, concluded the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) in their Sixth Assessment on the Situation of Minorities in Kosovo, issued yesterday and covering the period from May to September 2000.
This latest fifty-eight page report highlights security issues affecting minorities and illustrates its effect on the overall well being of these communities. Areas highlighted in the assessment include an effective and fair judicial system, access to essential public services, access to political structures and protection of property rights. The study describes improvements that have taken place and outlines steps still needed to ensure the full protection of minority populations, permitting them to play a full and active role in the development of the future of Kosovo.
Amidst these successful examples of progress, Kosovo is at a significant point in time as the municipal elections on 28 October loom on the horizon. Current provisions for the majority and minority communities run on parallel tracks and attention to minority needs often remains inadequate. The report concludes that it is of immense importance that the newly elected municipal authorities in Kosovo not only respect the rights of minorities but also take positive steps to improve their position and to facilitate their return. Creating systems equally accessible and fair to all is a prerequisite towards the development of a democratic society.
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
This latest fifty-eight page report highlights security issues affecting minorities and illustrates its effect on the overall well being of these communities. Areas highlighted in the assessment include an effective and fair judicial system, access to essential public services, access to political structures and protection of property rights. The study describes improvements that have taken place and outlines steps still needed to ensure the full protection of minority populations, permitting them to play a full and active role in the development of the future of Kosovo.
Amidst these successful examples of progress, Kosovo is at a significant point in time as the municipal elections on 28 October loom on the horizon. Current provisions for the majority and minority communities run on parallel tracks and attention to minority needs often remains inadequate. The report concludes that it is of immense importance that the newly elected municipal authorities in Kosovo not only respect the rights of minorities but also take positive steps to improve their position and to facilitate their return. Creating systems equally accessible and fair to all is a prerequisite towards the development of a democratic society.
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