Newsroom
Intolerance to Kosovo minorities hampers developing democracy
PRISTINA 1 October 2001
PRISTINA, 1 October 2001 (OSCE) - Slow progress is being made in improving conditions for Kosovo's minorities, according to the latest OSCE and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) assessment on the situation of minorities.
As Kosovo heads towards an election that will establish the structures of provisional self-government, the eighth in this series of joint reports, started in 1999, warns that democratic development will be undermined if the problems of minority communities are not recognized and addressed.
"The level of intolerance still present in Kosovo society is unacceptable," said Ambassador Daan Everts Head of OSCE's mission in Kosovo. "Everyone in Kosovo must try to end this intolerance if they are committed to a future which is free of the injustice of the past."
Security and lack of freedom of movement are still the overriding concerns for minorities. The number of violent incidents over the past six months may have decreased but the situation remains volatile. The work of the police and the judicial system are slowly but surely starting gaining ground to improve security for everyone in Kosovo.
The lack of freedom of movement impacts all aspects of life from access to education and employment through to access to health care and services. "For some communities this has become a fact of life: what is deeply worrying is that people are starting to consider it normal not to go beyond certain invisible but known boundaries," said Lennart Kotslainen UNHCR's Chief of Mission. "Working towards the goal of peaceful co-existence, where everyone in Kosovo can exercise their basic human rights, is the only way forward."
Important progress has been made with inter-ethnic dialogue and inter-ethnic activities. " In the end it is only Kosovo's people who can shape their society. It is good we are seeing some steps to reach normality," said Ambassador Everts.
Some progress has also been made with respect to the return of minority communities. "A growing acceptance to discuss return more openly, and the recognition that it is a basic human right not a threat, is encouraging," said Kotsalainen. At the same time it has to be noted that members of the minority communities are still leaving Kosovo, burdened by the constant discrimination, humiliation, isolation and violence that marks their lives.
The report recommends an active approach to improvements in areas of security, non-discrimination, increased dialogue and confidence building measures. In light of the formation of the upcoming Kosovo-wide Assembly, UNMIK's task to seize- with full co-operation and support of local actors- the unique opportunity to ensure that minority concerns are appropriately placed and adequately attended to in the newly emerging structures and in the policies that they will develop and implement, is particularly highlighted.
At the end of the day, however, responsibility lies with the people of Kosovo. They must face the challenges ahead and shape an inclusive and equitable society to achieve the peaceful future they aspire to.
For further information, contact OSCE Spokesperson Claire Trevena, tel: (+381-38) 500-162 x 260 / mobile: +377-44-500-150, e-mail: [email protected] / website: www.osce.org/kosovo or UNHCR spokesperson Astrid van Genderen Stort, tl: (+381-38) 501-500 / mobile +377-44-501-517, e-mail: [email protected]/ website: www.unhcr.ch
As Kosovo heads towards an election that will establish the structures of provisional self-government, the eighth in this series of joint reports, started in 1999, warns that democratic development will be undermined if the problems of minority communities are not recognized and addressed.
"The level of intolerance still present in Kosovo society is unacceptable," said Ambassador Daan Everts Head of OSCE's mission in Kosovo. "Everyone in Kosovo must try to end this intolerance if they are committed to a future which is free of the injustice of the past."
Security and lack of freedom of movement are still the overriding concerns for minorities. The number of violent incidents over the past six months may have decreased but the situation remains volatile. The work of the police and the judicial system are slowly but surely starting gaining ground to improve security for everyone in Kosovo.
The lack of freedom of movement impacts all aspects of life from access to education and employment through to access to health care and services. "For some communities this has become a fact of life: what is deeply worrying is that people are starting to consider it normal not to go beyond certain invisible but known boundaries," said Lennart Kotslainen UNHCR's Chief of Mission. "Working towards the goal of peaceful co-existence, where everyone in Kosovo can exercise their basic human rights, is the only way forward."
Important progress has been made with inter-ethnic dialogue and inter-ethnic activities. " In the end it is only Kosovo's people who can shape their society. It is good we are seeing some steps to reach normality," said Ambassador Everts.
Some progress has also been made with respect to the return of minority communities. "A growing acceptance to discuss return more openly, and the recognition that it is a basic human right not a threat, is encouraging," said Kotsalainen. At the same time it has to be noted that members of the minority communities are still leaving Kosovo, burdened by the constant discrimination, humiliation, isolation and violence that marks their lives.
The report recommends an active approach to improvements in areas of security, non-discrimination, increased dialogue and confidence building measures. In light of the formation of the upcoming Kosovo-wide Assembly, UNMIK's task to seize- with full co-operation and support of local actors- the unique opportunity to ensure that minority concerns are appropriately placed and adequately attended to in the newly emerging structures and in the policies that they will develop and implement, is particularly highlighted.
At the end of the day, however, responsibility lies with the people of Kosovo. They must face the challenges ahead and shape an inclusive and equitable society to achieve the peaceful future they aspire to.
For further information, contact OSCE Spokesperson Claire Trevena, tel: (+381-38) 500-162 x 260 / mobile: +377-44-500-150, e-mail: [email protected] / website: www.osce.org/kosovo or UNHCR spokesperson Astrid van Genderen Stort, tl: (+381-38) 501-500 / mobile +377-44-501-517, e-mail: [email protected]/ website: www.unhcr.ch