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OSCE Mission report: Parallel structures affect rule of law in Kosovo
PRISTINA 7 October 2003
PRISTINA, 7 October 2003 - A new human rights report from the OSCE Mission in Kosovo shows that parallel structures continue to exist in Kosovo in several areas of the public sector and that these are having a direct impact on the rights of individuals and the rule of law.
The OSCE report describes and analyses the effects of having these parallel systems operating in Kosovo. It specifically focuses on the areas of security, courts, property rights, education and health care, and assesses their effects on society.
"The existence of parallel systems continues to have a substantial impact on society," said Carsten Weber, Director of the OSCE Mission's Department for Human Rights and Rule of Law in Kosovo. "This can range from legal decisions from one court not being recognized in another system to people receiving different kinds and levels of health care or education."
The report looks at the progress United Nations administration (UNMiK) has made to overcome some of the difficulties, including the deployment of the Kosovo Police Service and the opening of courts in northern municipalities of Kosovo. UNMiK has also created a working group to deal with remaining parallel structures.
However, the report notes that all parallel structures cannot be dealt with in the same manner. Recommendations can be divided into three categories:
"At the same time, the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG) should provide essential services, like education and health care, that accommodate the needs of all communities in Kosovo," added Weber.
Urgently addressing these needs will reduce and eventually eliminate the dependence of some communities on parallel structures.
The OSCE, as part of its institution-building mandate, monitors a wide array of human rights in Kosovo. The information in this report is meant to provide the responsible government authorities with the tools to improve the situation and promote the development of institutions that serve all people without discrimination.
The full report can be found on the OSCE Mission in Kosovo website at www.osce.org/kosovo
The OSCE report describes and analyses the effects of having these parallel systems operating in Kosovo. It specifically focuses on the areas of security, courts, property rights, education and health care, and assesses their effects on society.
"The existence of parallel systems continues to have a substantial impact on society," said Carsten Weber, Director of the OSCE Mission's Department for Human Rights and Rule of Law in Kosovo. "This can range from legal decisions from one court not being recognized in another system to people receiving different kinds and levels of health care or education."
The report looks at the progress United Nations administration (UNMiK) has made to overcome some of the difficulties, including the deployment of the Kosovo Police Service and the opening of courts in northern municipalities of Kosovo. UNMiK has also created a working group to deal with remaining parallel structures.
However, the report notes that all parallel structures cannot be dealt with in the same manner. Recommendations can be divided into three categories:
- Reducing the demand for parallel services by improving services;
- Reducing the supply of parallel services through negotiations; and
- Imposing enforceable policies to support Kosovo institutions.
"At the same time, the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG) should provide essential services, like education and health care, that accommodate the needs of all communities in Kosovo," added Weber.
Urgently addressing these needs will reduce and eventually eliminate the dependence of some communities on parallel structures.
The OSCE, as part of its institution-building mandate, monitors a wide array of human rights in Kosovo. The information in this report is meant to provide the responsible government authorities with the tools to improve the situation and promote the development of institutions that serve all people without discrimination.
The full report can be found on the OSCE Mission in Kosovo website at www.osce.org/kosovo