Newsroom
Albanian newspapers under threat in Kosovo
PRISTINA 16 March 1999
PRISTINA, 16 March 1999 - The OSCE KVM voices its strong condemnation over the repressive measures taken by the Serbian Government against three Albanian language newspapers published in Pristina. The dailies "Kosova Sot" and "Rilindja" and the bi-weekly "Gazeta Shqiptare" are threatened with closure.
"Kosova Sot" representatives have been fined 1.600.000 dinar (DM 265.000) by the Pristina Administrative Court for violating Serbia's Information Act. The publication has now received official Court papers informing them that the assets of the publishers, Interpress, will be seized on 17th March. "Gazeta Shqiptare" received a similar verdict of financial penalties on Sunday. The charges against "Rilindja" are still pending.
Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are the cornerstones of any civil and democratic society. They are guaranteed both by the FRY constitution and international law. The new Serbian Information Law denies the accused due process and allows the Serbian Government to take punitive action against the media. The Information Law came into effect in October 1998 and has been severely criticised by the international community.
The OSCE KVM expresses its support for the continued publication of these newspapers and for the publishers, editors and other employees.
Deputy Head of Mission, Bernd Borchardt (Head of Human Rights and Democratisation Division), expressed the deep concern of the OSCE KVM and reiterated the need for freedom of information at a time that the international community is undertaking concerted efforts to restore peace and stability in Kosovo.
"Kosova Sot" representatives have been fined 1.600.000 dinar (DM 265.000) by the Pristina Administrative Court for violating Serbia's Information Act. The publication has now received official Court papers informing them that the assets of the publishers, Interpress, will be seized on 17th March. "Gazeta Shqiptare" received a similar verdict of financial penalties on Sunday. The charges against "Rilindja" are still pending.
Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are the cornerstones of any civil and democratic society. They are guaranteed both by the FRY constitution and international law. The new Serbian Information Law denies the accused due process and allows the Serbian Government to take punitive action against the media. The Information Law came into effect in October 1998 and has been severely criticised by the international community.
The OSCE KVM expresses its support for the continued publication of these newspapers and for the publishers, editors and other employees.
Deputy Head of Mission, Bernd Borchardt (Head of Human Rights and Democratisation Division), expressed the deep concern of the OSCE KVM and reiterated the need for freedom of information at a time that the international community is undertaking concerted efforts to restore peace and stability in Kosovo.