Freedom of association
The AJK expressed concern over the vandalism of the logo on the office of the NGO Centre for Information, Critique, and Action (QIKA) on 12th June. This act of vandalism occurred shortly after the broadcast of the program “The Colours of Love” and the display of the LGBTQI+ flag on the balcony of QIKA’s offices. The AJK described the incident as a direct assault on human rights and freedom of expression, warning that such actions only fuel hate speech and increase verbal attacks against the LGBTQI+ community. QIKA has been subjected to similar attacks in the past.
Freedom of peaceful assembly
A group of students from the Faculty of Education at the University of Prishtina gathered on 1st June 2024, International Children’s Day, to commemorate the 1,432 children who were killed by Serbian forces in Kosovo during the war in 1999. They displayed banners expressing frustration with public institutions for their failure to provide official recognition of the child victims of the war.
On 30th May, activists from the Coalition of Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) for the Protection of Children (KOMF) organised a march under the slogan “Children’s Services are Shutting Down” to highlight the growing concern over the discontinuation of essential social services for children, arising due to insufficient financial support from both central and local public institutions. The march featured banners with messages such as “Social services are a right, not a luxury”, “Walk in my shoes”, and “Why ask me for something guaranteed by law and the constitution?”. KOMF has urged public institutions to develop a comprehensive plan to address this critical situation.
Activists, joined by citizens and politicians, marched in the eighth consecutive Pride Parade under the slogan “We Have Been and Will Be”, advocating for the rights, equality, and acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community. Banners carried during the march featured messages such as “Celebrating Kosovo’s Diversity”, “Love is Love”, “Celebrate Love”, and “Together and Proud”. Prime Minister Albin Kurti led the parade, emphasising that all individuals are equal and urging society to abandon prejudices. Other politicians also highlighted the need to eliminate prejudices against the LGBTIQ+ community and to create an inclusive environment for all citizens, regardless of diverse identities. The Pride Parade started at Skënderbeu Square and concluded at the National Library. The week-long Pride events, which began on 3rd June 2024, concluded with a concert celebrating the resilience and diversity of the LGBTQI+ community in Kosovo.
On 6th June, activists from the NGO “Fourth Wave” carried out a symbolic action in Mitrovica, under the slogan “I am well when women are well”. This reimagined version of an iconic quote by Isa Boletini, a revolutionary leader and national hero from Mitrovica, was designed to draw attention to the pressing issue of gender-based violence in Kosovo. The activists emphasised that “our patriots did not fight for a nation where women and girls suffer from harassment, violence, and femicide”.
On 1st July, the NGO “Fourth Wave” protested in Mitrovica, challenging a court’s decision to reduce a rape charge to that of minor bodily harm. Activists gathered outside the courthouse, insisting that sexual and gender-based violence must not be minimised or treated as lesser offences. The defendant, originally charged with rape and illegal weapon possession, was released from custody after the court reclassified the charge, resulting in a sentence of one year and eight months in prison.
On 10th June, members of the Association of Civilian Victims Injured by Mines protested in front of the government building, calling for better financial assistance in meeting their needs, particularly in obtaining prosthetic limbs. They expressed frustration over the low pensions they receive, which they argue are insufficient to cover even basic living expenses, let alone necessary medical care. The Association representatives criticised the government for what they deemed discriminatory treatment, pointing out that while war veterans receive full support, civilian victims are left with minimal assistance. The protesters warned of additional protests if their demands for increased pensions and improved access to prosthetics are not addressed.
Technical workers at the Kosovo Assembly staged a protest on 9th July, calling for their monthly salaries to be raised from 275 EUR to 500 EUR. The workers argued that their current pay does not meet basic living costs, while union leader Jusuf Azemi indicated that the workers would stop providing services if their demands are not addressed.
In July, the miners of the Stantërg mine initiated strikes in response to delayed salary payments, having received only 68% of their May and June salaries. The Independent Union of Trepça Miners accused management of attempting to intimidate the workers and unfairly shifting the blame for the company’s difficulties. The Union also called on the government to intervene to address the financial and operational challenges facing Trepça.
On 14th June, former employees of the newspaper “Rilindja” gathered in front of the Kosovo Privatisation Agency (KPA) to demand the overdue payment of their legally entitled 20% share from the privatisation process of the social enterprise. They criticised the delay in payment, which continues despite a government allocation of 3.3 million EUR in 2021, and expressed their frustration at the KPA’s inaction. The protesters also voiced concerns over the government's takeover of the “Palace of Press” property. They vowed to persist with their protests until all their demands, including full payment and resolution of property issues, are met.
Several residents of the “Kalabria” neighbourhood in Prishtina gathered in front of the municipal building to voice their dissatisfaction over the exclusion of their neighbourhood’s urban plan from the agenda of the Municipal Assembly session held on 24th May. Some residents even managed to enter the Assembly hall. The residents have raised concerns about the ongoing delay in approving the urban plan, which they say has left them enduring poor infrastructure conditions. The residents gathered again on 3rd June when the Assembly convened to discuss the plan. During this session, some residents entered the hall, distributing leaflets to Assembly members, urging them to vote in favour of the plan's approval.
On 2nd July, residents of Shipitullë village in Obiliq protested in front of the Ministry of Economy, expressing dissatisfaction with the handling of the expropriation process affecting their village. They also gathered outside the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) to voice frustration over the impact of KEK’s activities, particularly the close proximity of excavators to their homes.
On 30th May, residents of the village of Shkabaj in Prishtina gathered to prevent the demolition of a structure intended to become a mosque. The situation escalated into physical confrontations with the police, who used tear gas to disperse the protesters. A resident was arrested for attacking the police. The Inspectorate of the Municipality of Prishtina had launched an operation to demolish the unauthorised construction but was compelled to withdraw the machinery due to the strong resistance from the local community. The construction of the mosque had been initiated with funds voluntarily contributed by the community.
On 31st May, residents of the village of Llugë in Podujeva gathered in front of the village mosque to express their opposition to the imam appointed by the Islamic Community. The protesters have put forward their own candidate to serve as the imam of the mosque.
On 20th June, miners from Trepça marched in Prishtina, starting from the “Grand” hotel and ending at the Reporting House exhibition. The march was organised to honour the 1989 miners’ strike, which played a crucial role in Kosovo’s struggle for autonomy.
On 28th June, Serbs from Kosovo, Serbia, and Montenegro gathered at Gazimestan in Obiliq to celebrate the religious holiday St. Vitus’ Day (Vidovdan), which also corresponds to the 1389 Battle of Kosovo, where a coalition of Balkan armies led by Serbian Prince Lazar was defeated by the Ottoman Empire. The Kosovo Police enforced strict measures, prohibiting attendees from carrying ultranationalist symbols, including T-shirts, flags, or other materials. A T-shirt with nationalist slogans and a Serbian flag with a “Russia” inscription were confiscated by the police, while a person was escorted to the police station for questioning. Despite ultranationalist chants such as “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia”, the event was relatively peaceful with the Kosovo Police reporting no incidents that disrupted the gathering. Vidovdan has always been a platform for conveying ultranationalist messages, such as the claim that “Kosovo is Serbia”.
Freedom of expression
Law on Independent Media Commission passed
On 11th July 2024, the Kosovo Assembly adopted the Draft Law on the Independent Media Commission (KPM) in its second reading, with the ruling party’s MPs casting the decisive votes.
The passage of this law has sparked significant controversy, drawing criticism from opposition parties, local non-governmental organisations, and international organisations. Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concerns that the law could jeopardise media freedom and freedom of expression in Kosovo. The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) strongly condemned the law, accusing the government of attempting to exert control over the media. The European Union Office in Kosovo also voiced disappointment that its recommendations for improving the law were not considered during the legislative process.
One of the most contentious provisions in the new law is Article 4, which mandates that video-sharing platforms and online media must undergo a registration or licensing process with the KPM. This process requires obtaining a business certificate from the Kosovo Business Registration Agency and tax clearances from the Kosovo Tax Administration. In a statement made before the vote, the Speaker of the Assembly, Glauk Konjufca, asserted that the Parliamentary Commission on European Integration had determined that the law and its amendments were partially aligned with EU legislation.
A report published by the Kosovo Law Institute further criticised the law, arguing that it undermines the constitutional independence of the KPM, effectively turning it into a body that is susceptible to government influence. Ricardo Gutierrez, Secretary of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), described the day the law was passed as a “dark day” for media freedom and democracy in Kosovo. The OSCE Mission in Kosovo also expressed concern that the recommendations of international experts were not adequately considered in the final version of the law. In response to these developments, the two largest opposition parties in Kosovo have challenged the law in the Constitutional Court.
Cases of obstruction of journalists’ work, threats and intimidation
In June 2024, journalist Vullnet Krasniqi received death threats from an individual in Presheva, Serbia, via TikTok, who directed violent and threatening language towards Krasniqi and his family. The Kosovo Journalists Association (AJK) has called on the Kosovo Police to take immediate action to find and arrest the perpetrator, and stressed the urgency of protecting Krasniqi, given the severity of the threats.
On 20th June, the AJK raised concerns over the safety of sports journalist Arlind Sadiku, who had recently received multiple threats, including death threats, primarily from Serbian football fans. The threats followed an event during the Euro 2024 England-Serbia match, where Sadiku made an eagle gesture towards Serbian fans.
On 25th June, journalist Hateme Smajli from Gazeta Infokus was threatened by the Director of the Family Medicine Center in Obiliq while she was on site with a cameraman to investigate patients’ complaints about mould in the facility. The journalist was subjected to offensive remarks and threats by the Director, who dismissed the issues raised. The AJK condemned this incident, describing it as a significant breach of the right to information and transparency, and urged the authorities to promptly address the case.
On 26th June, the Syri TV news team was obstructed by the head of the Regional Water Company “Gjakova” while covering a flooding issue in the village of Bishtazhin. The journalist and cameraman were met with offensive language and attempts to prevent them from reporting on the situation. The AJK condemned the incident, calling for an investigation, and urged local and central authorities to ensure that journalists can perform their duties without interference.
On 25th June, the online portal Insajderi reported receiving threats following its coverage of alleged money laundering arrests by Kosovo Police. Relatives of one of the arrested individuals made several threatening calls to the portal’s newsroom, including a death threat from someone claiming to be the brother of one of the suspects. The AJK condemned these threats and called on the Kosovo Police and Prosecutor’s Office to urgently investigate and take decisive action.
Journalist Rid Berisha from KosovaLive.net has been targeted by online hate speech, reportedly initiated by a staff member of the Islamic Community of Kosovo. On 8th July, the AJK condemned the offensive comments made after photos of Berisha paying tribute to the victims of the October 7th attacks in Israel were shared. The AJK called on the Islamic Community of Kosovo to distance itself from any rhetoric promoting religious intolerance.
On 7th May, the AJK expressed concern over the intentional sharing of journalist Ardiana Thaçi Mehmeti’s personal phone number by the Albkings group on social media, reportedly in retaliation for her previous reporting on the group. This act has led to numerous harassing calls and messages, compromising her safety and attempting to silence her. AJK has called on Kosovo Police and the Prosecutor’s Office to urgently investigate and hold those responsible accountable. Several members of the group, including the chief administrator, have been arrested on charges of identity theft and the distribution of photographs, leading to the group’s shutdown by authorities.
On 27th June, the AJK condemned statements made by ruling party MP Dimal Basha, who claimed that the Government has completely cut off the “fodder” (funding) to the media and specifically targeted media lawyer Flutura Kusari. Basha accused Kusari of attempting to influence legislation on the Independent Media Commission and of protecting oligarchs under the guise of defending media freedom. The AJK criticised these remarks as dangerous and an attempt to silence critical voices.
In July, the AJK voiced concerns about the recent resignation of public broadcaster’s General Director Shkumbin Ahmetxhekaj, which the AJK suspect was driven by political interference. According to the AJK, Ahmetxhekaj highlighted ongoing pressure that led to significant conflicts with the public broadcaster’s Board. The AJK urged the Government and Assembly to safeguard the public broadcaster’s independence and the independence of its staff from undue influence.
On 9th July, the AJK condemned the detention of Arianit Tahiri, a cameraman for “Betimi për Drejtësi” by Kosovo Police during an investigation into alleged misconduct by prosecutors. Tahiri was filming in a public space when he was confronted by the venue’s staff and a prosecutor, who then called the police. The police confiscated his phone and took him into custody. AJK demanded Tahiri’s immediate release and a full investigation into the incident to prevent future interference with journalists. Following his release, it was confirmed that Tahiri was questioned as a victim of the incident.
The AJK criticised the decision made by the Municipal Assembly of North Mitrovica to expel journalists from covering its proceedings on 31st May. The AJK emphasised that this action undermines the essential transparency needed for discussions on matters that affect all communities in North Mitrovica, and urged the Assembly’s chairperson and the Municipality’s mayor to ensure that journalists have the necessary access and conditions to report on the Assembly’s proceedings without obstruction.
On 21st June, the AJK and KALLXO.com strongly criticised the Basic Court of Prishtina for imposing a mere 1,000 EUR fine on an individual found guilty of threatening journalist Arjana Berisha in August 2022. Both the AJK and KALLXO.com argued that the penalty is far too lenient and fails to reflect the seriousness of the crime, and called for stricter legal measures to ensure the protection of journalists.
The non-governmental media organisation “Sbunker” was hit by a sophisticated cyberattack on 16th July, leading to the loss of four months’ worth of content. Sbunker suspects that the attack was carried out by a professional group due to its complexity. The AJK denounced the attack as a significant threat to media freedom and called on the Kosovo Police's Cyber Crime Unit to prioritise the investigation.