OSCE Mission publishes Kosovo communities’ profiles
PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 8 February 2011 - The OSCE Mission in Kosovo published today a comprehensive overview of demographic, socio-economic, and cultural data in local communities.
The publication highlights the distinct attributes, needs and concerns of minority communities at municipal level, as well as the challenges they face.
“The communities' profiles convey a clear and constructive message to all who bear responsibility for the existing barriers between communities that prevent many from enjoying their rights and freedoms,” said Ambassador Werner Almhofer, the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. “Lack of understanding for each others' needs and concerns, which are sometimes similar, remains a key challenge to building sustainable peace in Kosovo.”
The profiles provide a Kosovo-wide insight into the situation of these communities, focusing on access to services, participation in public life, security, employment, returns and reintegration, access to property, housing and education.
The publication data reveals that the level of enjoyment of the rights and freedoms vary from municipality to municipality; limited freedom of movement, insufficient participation in public affairs, impeded access to services, and burdened inter-ethnic relations have been identified among main challenges requiring sustainable solutions.
“By identifying the difficulties these communities are confronted with, the OSCE seeks to encourage the authorities to respond to these communities' specific needs more effectively, while promoting mutual understanding and trust between them,” Almhofer said.
The profiles are based on OSCE’s year-long research and monitoring activities in 2010. This is an update of the Mission's initial 2009 publication on Kosovo communities. The new publication is available in English, Albanian and Serbian languages on the OSCE website: www.osce.org/kosovo
The protection and promotion of community rights in Kosovo is one of the OSCE Mission’s key responsibilities. The Mission conducts periodic assessments on the compliance of institutions in safeguarding the rights of all communities.