Freedom of association
Raids in NGO offices over alleged illegal activities spark controversy
On 31st January 2024, Kosovo Police raided the offices of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) “Centre for Peace and Tolerance” under allegations of conducting suspicious activities. According to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, the premises were not being used for the NGO’s intended purposes but for illegal activities. The Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Prishtina announced that it had initiated criminal proceedings concerning the offence of “unlawful exercise of medical or pharmaceutical activities.” In response, at a press conference, representatives of the Center for Peace and Tolerance claimed they were wrongly accused, and that the organisation had only provided medical assistance, specifically measuring blood sugar and blood pressure, to some Kosovo Serbs living in Prishtina. They criticised Minister Sveçla, and described the police raid as a direct attack on civil society. They also called Sveçla’s statements mere speculation that had created fear and insecurity.
Kosovo Serb NGOs discredited by Deputy Prime Minister and Public Administration Deputy Minister
On 14th February, Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi, accused several Kosovo Serb NGOs of “actively and openly advocating against the integration of Serbian citizens into the economic and social life of Kosovo”. His statements sparked reactions among foreign missions in Kosovo. The Quint, an informal group comprising ambassadors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy, along with the EU, expressed support for the group of Kosovo Serb NGOs criticised by the Deputy Prime Minister. They described Serb representatives from Kosovo's civil society as “reliable partners.” Viola Von Cramon, the European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo, also expressed concern over Bislimi's remarks. However, Deputy Minister of Public Administration Arbër Vokrri also accused a couple of Kosovo Serb NGOs of pushing agendas aligned with Serbia. He claimed that these organisations attempt to portray Kosovo’s image in regional institutions like the European Parliament as oppressive towards Serbs and their civil and political rights. On the other hand, three Kosovo Serb NGOs, namely “New Social Initiative”, “Inter”, and “NGO Aktiv” urged Kosovo's Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, to distance himself from the statements made by Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi and Deputy Minister Vokrri.
Freedom of assembly
Protests, actions and marches for justice for girls and women
On 28th February, the Collective for Feminist Thought and Action protested in front of the Palace of Justice in Prishtina, condemning the decision of the Court of Appeals to retry the case of Marigona Osmani’s murder. They rallied under slogans such as “We do not forget”, “Let’s punish femicide, not retry it”, and “Down with the patriarchal courts”, demanding justice for Osmani. On 23rd February, the Court of Appeals accepted the appeal lodged by the defendants’ lawyers and sent the case back to the Ferizaj Basic Court, overturning a verdict which had sentenced Dardan Krivaça to life imprisonment and Arbër Sejdiu to 15 years in prison. Krivaça, who is accused of murdering his former wife Marigona Osmani, and Sejdiu, who is accused of being an accessory to murder, will remain in custody until the court of first instance re-examines the case.
On 26th March, dozens of students gathered in front of the Faculty of Education and the University of Prishtina Rectorate demanding the dismissal of Xhevat Krasniqi, a professor of mathematics, accused by tens of students of sexual harassment. They also demanded the dismissal of the members of the University’s Ethics Council, who had failed to interview the parties involved even weeks after the complaints had been received, in contravention of university regulations. At a separate action in front of the University of Prishtina Rectorate, the Student Feminist Movement criticised the Ethics Council for its inaction. Symbolically, they displayed a banner with the inscription: “Shhh, the Ethics Council is sleeping...”. In another action, the Student Feminist Movement displayed quotes detailing instances of sexual harassment reported by students who denounced the professor.
On 14th March, the Collective for Feminist Thought and Action protested under the slogan “Safety for girls and women”, following allegations that a 13-year-old girl in Drenas was kidnapped and raped by two adults. Activists criticised the police for only reporting the case as a “missing person” without mentioning the rape. The suspects have been arrested and have been placed in pre-trial detention.
On 7th March, the NGO “Fourth Wave” staged an action in Vushtrri ahead of International Women’s Day, calling for safer transportation for girls and women. Activists displayed a banner on the walls of the city’s castle with the message “Hello! Can I get a taxi without a harasser/sexual assaulter?”. The organisation’s protest aimed to highlight the often-ignored issue of sexual harassment by taxi drivers against women.
On the same day, "Fourth Wave" staged another action, calling for a retrial in the suicide case of a 19-year-old girl, who allegedly took her own life due to psychological pressure from her fiancé. He was acquitted by the Basic Court of Mitrovica on 16th October 2023, whereby the Court ruled that the reasonable suspicion that the accused had committed the crime had not been proven. The organisation has called this case a systemic failure of the justice system to address gender-based violence and hold perpetrators accountable.
On 29th February, the collective “We March, We Don’t Celebrate” held an action at the entrance of the Kosovo Assembly against what they saw as dehumanising language used by some MPs towards the women of Kosovo during discussions on the draft law on reproductive health and medically assisted fertilisation. The collective explained that their action is directed against the “exclusionary and discriminatory spirit” of the deputies who opposed the draft law. With slogans like “Where is the Constitution?”, “Who protects us from the MPs?” and “MPs have no mandate to violate our bodies”, activists demanded the dismissal of Duda Balje from her position as chair of the Human Rights Committee, sanctions against several MPs for their use of non-parliamentary language, and a swift vote on the Draft Law. The Kosovo Assembly failed to approve the Draft Law due to lack of support from the majority of MPs. According to the Draft Law, it is envisaged that the right to access IVF (in vitro fertilisation) would be granted to unmarried women over the age of 18.
On 8th March, International Women's Day, activists of the Social Democratic Party held an action in front of the government building, calling on Prime Minister Albin Kurti to remove the MPs who oppose the adoption of the new Civil Code and the bill on reproductive health and medically assisted fertilisation from his party.
Also on International Women’s Day, the collective “We March, We Don’t Celebrate” marched in Prishtina under the slogans “Freedom”, “Equality”, and “Solidarity”. They called for justice and an end to the impunity for crimes against women. They also expressed solidarity with Palestinian women, denouncing the conflict as a product of patriarchy. The activists encountered minor physical confrontations with the police, who prevented them from entering the courtyard of the government building.
On 9th February, the NGO “Fourth Wave” staged a protest in Klina, demanding that the football club “Dukagjini” suspend their player Theophilus Solomon, wanted by Interpol for domestic violence. Solomon was arrested by the Kosovo Police during a football match.
Labour protests for higher salaries and better working conditions
In February, over 250 technical and security staff at the University of Prishtina and Students’ Center went on strike for more than two weeks, demanding a salary increase from 250 EUR to 400 EUR. They also protested outside the Rectorate. Several students from the student organisation “Reforma” came out in their support, boycotting lectures. Ismet Krasniqi, chairman of “Reforma”, commented on the unhygienic conditions in the lecture halls due to the strike, stating that “hygiene is not a luxury, but a basic need.” He expressed the students’ support for the workers’ demands and their hope for a prompt resolution to the strike. Meanwhile, the Private Sector Workers’ Union reported pressure on workers to stop the strike.
Also in February, technical workers from dozens of schools in Prishtina and Gjilan went on strike, demanding higher salaries. The workers, who are employed through private companies, expressed their dissatisfaction with the fact that they receive lower salaries compared to their colleagues who are paid from the state budget.
On 20th February, the employees of the security department of the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEC) protested again, reiterating their demand for reintegration into the direct management of KEC and demanding higher salaries and better working conditions. As previously reported, the workers are dissatisfied with the privatisation of their department as part of a tender process.
Workers at the “HidroDrini” Regional Water Company in Peja went on strike on 14th March, calling for a review of the new regulations concerning salaries and advocating for a higher salary coefficient.
Technical workers at the Family Medicine Centres in Prishtina staged a temporary work boycott on 5th March, calling for the immediate renewal of their contracts upon expiration. Following a meeting between the President of the Private Sector Workers’ Union and the Director of Health at the Municipality of Prishtina, an agreement was reached with the promise to review contract renewal issues and potential salary increases. However, the workers will not receive compensation for the interim period of four days when they were asked to work without valid contracts.
Kosovo Serbs protest in North Mitrovica against currency regulation
In February, approximately 2,000 Kosovo Serbs protested in North Mitrovica to oppose a regulation introduced by the Central Bank of Kosovo which prohibits the use of any currency other than the euro for transactions. With banners reading “Europe open your eyes”, “Without social aid, we won’t even have bread to eat”, “I won’t give up the pension I earned my whole life for Kurti”, and “Resolution 1244, USA help us”, the protesters voiced their concerns with the regulation, demanding its withdrawal as it negatively impacts the daily lives of the Serbian community in Kosovo, which has been receiving its salaries and pensions in Serbian dinars from Serbia since 1999.
Actions staged by the Social Democratic Party (SDP)
On 7th March, National Teachers’ Day, activists from the Social Democratic Party carried out an action against Education Minister Arbërie Nagavci and criticised what they deem her failures during her term in office. Symbolically, they presented a banner in the form of a school report card, on which the minister was given the lowest possible grades for failing to fulfil election promises and the highest possible grade for violating the constitution. Nine activists were arrested during the action at the National Library, where the minister was due to give a speech.
On the same day, SDP activists staged an action to oppose the new Draft Law on the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council. At the entrance of the Kosovo Assembly, they placed a doll dressed in a prosecutor’s robe with a photo of Prime Minister Albin Kurti, bearing the message “I want to be a prosecutor”. According to the SDP, this Draft Law would enable direct control of the Government over the State Prosecutor, thereby transforming criminal prosecution into a tool for political pursuit. The two main opposition parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo and the Democratic League of Kosovo, had submitted the Draft Law for constitutional review in July 2022. Subsequently, the Constitutional Court declared the Draft Law invalid, ruling that it conflicted with constitutional articles on the separation of powers. Following this, the Speaker of the Assembly, Glauk Konjufca, referred the Draft Law to the Venice Commission for its opinion, and the government introduced it into the parliamentary procedure.
Other gatherings staged during the reporting period
On 1st March, the Prishtina branch of the “Handikos” association organised a wheelchair march to mark International Wheelchair Day and demanded compliance with the standards for free access for around 4,000 wheelchair users in Prishtina.
On 6th February, fifth-grade students at “Mihal Grameno” elementary school in Fushë Kosovë boycotted classes for over two weeks and protested twice against schedule changes imposed by the principal and the school board. According to Koha, the Education Inspectorate is aware of the situation and has stated that the decision to change the schedule has no legal basis, warning that it would take action against the school management.
On Valentine’s Day, the Youth Forum of the Democratic League of Kosovo held an action in front of the government building, criticising the Kurti government for, in their view, failing to deliver on even a quarter of its electoral program. Symbolically, they placed a heart-shaped billboard with the inscription “My heart, you have failed”.
On 31st March, dozens of residents of two villages in Vushtrri protested and blocked the Prishtina-Mitrovica highway, demanding the construction of a roundabout to allow residents access to fields beyond the highway.
On 15th March, a citizen of Gjakova carried out a symbolic action on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the start of construction of the road connecting Gjakova with Prishtina. He displayed an ironic banner with the inscription “Coming soon” and criticised the Ministry of Infrastructure for the slow and substandard work, stressing that the prolongation of construction work has affected citizens’ ability to travel.
2024 Freedom House report: Freedom of assembly
In Freedom House's “Freedom in the World 2024” report, Kosovo is again classified as “partly free,” with an overall score of 60 out of 100. In terms of freedom of assembly, the report gives Kosovo an overall score of 3 out of 4. The report highlights the violent protests in northern Kosovo, where Kosovo Serb protesters clashed with police and NATO KFOR peacekeepers, injuring over 30 soldiers and more than 50 protesters.
Freedom of expression
The Assembly of Kosovo adopts in principle the Draft Law on the Independent Media Commission
On 7th March, the Kosovo Assembly adopted in principle the Draft Law on the Independent Media Commission. The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), various international and regional organisations, and foreign missions in Kosovo, have criticised the Draft Law as an attempt to control online media. The proposed Draft Law stipulates that online platforms and media must undergo a registration and licensing process with the Independent Media Commission (IMC), a change from the previous practice where online media operated without IMC registration.
NGOs express concerns over political interference in the Independent Media Commission
On 9th February, several organisations, including the AJK, the Kosovo Press Council, the Kosovo Law Institute, “Çohu!” (Get Up!), the Initiative for Progress (INPO), the Centre for Information, Critique, and Action (QIKA), the Prishtina Institute for Political Studies (PIPS), and the Musine Kokalari Institute, expressed deep concern over the political interference by ruling party MPs in the operations of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) during an extraordinary session of the Commission for Media in the Kosovo Assembly, which focused on the controversial reinstatement of the channels belonging to the Arena Sport television network.
The network’s channels had previously broadcast messages of solidarity with Serbian paramilitaries responsible for a terrorist attack against Kosovo police in September 2023, which led to their initial suspension by the IMC. Following an apology from the network operator, the IMC decided on 6th February to allow the channels back on air. Following this, the Assembly’s Commission for Media called an extraordinary meeting, at which ruling party MPs chastised IMC members for the decision. The organisations called for an end to such attacks, which they see as an attempt to intimidate and publicly vilify IMC members in order to pave the way for their possible dismissal.
Criticism over non-transparent interview process at public broadcaster
On 28th February, the FOL Movement criticised the interview process for candidates for the Board of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) as non-transparent, and lacking merit and integrity. They pointed out that the applicants’ performance was only assessed after all interviews had been completed and not after each individual interview. They also criticised the fact that points were awarded overall and not individually according to categories such as education, knowledge for the job, integrity and vision, which impaired the transparency and accountability of the process.
Threats, obstructions, and denigrating language against journalists
On 12th February, journalist Korab Rexhepi from DTV reported receiving threatening messages from an individual identified only by the initials M.B. The threats were made after M.B. called into the journalist’s programme, and the journalist disconnected the call after the man strayed off topic. In one of the threatening messages, M.B. explicitly stated intentions to harm the journalist and his family. The AJK strongly condemned the threats and urged the Kosovo Police to take action to ensure the legal prosecution of the perpetrator.
On 26th February, journalist Adelina Ahmeti and cameraman Jetmir Hoxha from KALLXO.com were threatened during their coverage of the construction of a church in the village of Klinë e Mesme, Skënderaj. They were obstructed by an individual with initials M.H., who threatened and used offensive language against the journalists. The AJK denounced the threats and called on the police to prioritise the case.
On 10th February, the AJK condemned the denigrating campaign led by several officials from the Municipality of Prishtina, including the Director of Urbanism, Doruntina Maloku, against journalist Saranda Ramaj of the KOHA group, after she reported on a controversial case of exchange of municipal property involving the Municipality. The AJK described the attacks on the journalist and other media as a coordinated campaign and called on the Municipality of Prishtina to publicly distance itself from this campaign.
The AJK condemned the summoning of journalist Lirim Mehmetaj by the Basic Prosecution of Prishtina on 6th March. Mehmetaj was summoned as a defendant in an investigation into the criminal offence of “incitement to division and intolerance” after a private criminal complaint was filed against the journalist.
On 13th March, activists of the Centre for Information, Critique, and Action (QIKA) reported pressure from a teacher after the organisation re-shared a news report on social media from the previous year, where the teacher was allegedly implicated in a sexual harassment incident at the school. The teacher persistently contacted the activists and made repeated visits to the organisation’s offices. The AJK condemned this form of pressure and urged the teacher to pursue his concerns through the appropriate self-regulatory bodies of online media, instead of exerting pressure on the activists.
2024 Freedom House report: Freedom of expression
In terms of freedom of expression of media, Freedom House's “Freedom in the World 2024” report assigned Kosovo 2 out of 4 points in total. The report highlights challenges faced by journalists, including harassment and intimidation, especially on social media, which often leads to self-censorship. A significant case cited in the report is the suspension of the business certificate of Klan Kosova, a major media outlet, which was criticised as a politically motivated act against press freedom.