Statement by the Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Michael Davenport, on Democracy Day

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 15 September 2021 – As we mark World Democracy Day, we affirm the principle of the people’s expression of free will, be it at the ballot box, or through media, as a basis of authority for any form of government.

With local elections only a month away, which shall determine local governments for the next four years, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has continuously worked with the Central Election Commission to improve voters’ lists, in co-operation with the CEC Secretariat, the Civil Registration Agency and the Kosovo Cadastre Agency.

Both the CEC and the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel agreed also to address recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission and the United Kingdom on improvements of the election process. We should also take particular note that there are 14 women running for mayor and 1,938 women candidates for municipal assemblies hoping to earn the trust of voters on 17 October, following a record-breaking number of women MPs in the Assembly after the 14 February election.

World Democracy Day is also about freedom of journalists to do their job safely, helping youth to identify false news through media literacy campaign and workshops, empowering women against gender-based violence, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mission engaged in the last year in numerous media literacy activities and advocated tirelessly for the establishment of municipal mechanisms against domestic violence and sustainable funding for shelters for victims of domestic violence.

All voices need to be heard, whether in a free election, or through public participation in decision-making processes, including in particular those of women and young people, for the betterment of all communities and better transparency of institutions. Over the past 12 months, the Mission has facilitated numerous activities fostering public participation and improving communication and transparency of institutions with the public. Public participation is also an integral part of public safety institutions’ efforts to strengthen community policing, a public-police partnership identifying potential safety threats and prevention at the grassroots level.