DOCSLIB.ORG

GI 2013 Layout ENG Web.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
GI 2013 Layout ENG Web.Pdf YUCOM 2013 – Annual Report Publisher Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights – YUCOM Svetogorska 17, 11000 Belgrade www.yucom.org.rs For the Publisher Milan Antonijević Editorial Board: Milan Antonijević, Natalija Šolić, Katarina Golubović, Nikola Grujić, Ivana Stjelja Prepared by Ana Janković Dragan Ristić Ivana Stjelja Jean Baptist Merlin Jovana Spremo Katarina Golubović Kristina Todorović Kristina Tubić Kristina Vujić Marko Milenković Milan Antonijević Milena Vasić Nada Dželebdžić Natalija Šolić Nataša Lukić Nikola Grujić Slavko Arsović Tea Hadžiristić Lecture Ljiljana Korica Dessing BENUSSI design Printed by Dosije studio Print Run 500 ISBN 978-86-83209-50-7 The publication “YUCOM 2013-report on the work” was created within the project “Anti-discrimination mechanisms in practice” and “Strategic litigation in cases of vio- lations of human rights and the protection of human rights defenders” that are realized by Lawyers Committee for Human Rights - YUCOM with the financial support of the Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany in Serbia and Civil Rights Defenders. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of German Embassy in Serbia and Civil Rights Defenders. CONTENT 1 FOREWORD 5 2 FREE LEGAL AID: UNASSESSABLE VALUE OF HUMAN RIGHTS 8 3 SELECTED CASES OF ADVOCACY: SOCIALLY VULNERABLE AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN THE PITFALLS OF INEFFICIENT JUDICIAL SYSTEM 12 4 ANTI-DISCRIMINATION MECHANISMS IN PRACTICE: THE WAY TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADEQUATE HOUSING 32 5 LAWYERS’ COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS – YUCOM: PROMOTION, PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2013 54 Y14 - YUCOM 2013 / Annual Report / No 1 Y1 Broj 1, Decembar 2013. YUCOM 2013 IZveštaj O RADU liticians, and other institutions and in- implementation of affirmative measures dividuals are reflected. to socially disadvantaged individuals so When you are defending citizens, that they could enhance their social status, representing them, trying to get an especially social housing as a basic mec- adequate response from the state, or hanism for providing adequate housing to a judgment, decision, or new legisla- the most vulnerable citizens. tion, it is expected that you see many Let me remind you that affirmative more imperfections of the system, and actions are defined by the Constitution of errors, both accidental and intentional. Serbia and covered by other regulations, It is not an indication that you want to but there remains a lack of understanding cause damage, but to establish a new and implementation. practice of human rights and to enable Our cooperation with the government, a wider range of people to enjoy their the National Assembly, certain ministries, guaranteed rights. We also pointed out and local government bodies shows that it positive examples from practice, whe- is recognized that human rights organi- re we are pleased with the quality and zations have their place in improving the speed of proceedings and the reactions human rights protection system, public of the authorities. All of this is necessary administration, as well as ameliorating 1 in order to obtain a balanced picture of the points of contact between citizens and the situation of human rights from the the state, such as in court, in drafting le- perspective of the organization that re- gislation, and in many other situations. presents citizens and works on strategic, We emphasize excellent cooperation legal, and other documents. with independent institutions such as the YUCOM has identified a large Ombudsman, the Ombudsman of Vojvo- number of individual cases of discri- dina, the Commissioner for Equality, the mination through years of work on the Commissioner for Information of Public improvement and promotion of hu- Importance and Personal Data Protecti- man rights, representation of citizens, on, as well as local ombudsman and many F analysis of regulations and policies, others who have made our work more vi- and monitoring of the work of public sible and more effective. In particular, we FOREWORD authorities and other activities. Also, highlight the media that have recognized we noted the presence of a more dan- the issues we deal with, and the hundreds DECEMBER 2013, Belgrade gerous, systemic discrimination which of interviews and articles that are testa- is often indirect or hidden, making its ment to this. Milan Antonijević detection and the legal protection of And, at the end of this introduction, individuals subject to it much more we thank the many organizations in Ser- difficult. Equality in the exercise of the bia and in the region and beyond with rights is denied to the entire groups, so- whom we have worked, with which we When you stand before the results metimes because of the provisions and have agreed, and with which we have ar- of the work one of a year that is about the most important regulations them- gued in the interest of promoting human to end, you can either be satisfied with selves, but more often due to selective rights. the results or you can expect more. YU- enforcement of regulations by public We are especially pleased that during COM always strives for more and we authorities, to the detriment of the this year our team joined many young can hardly allow ourselves the time just groups who already experience stigma, professionals, as well as future experts, to enjoy what we have achieved. This prejudice and segregation in society. currently students of law and other facul- motivated us to approach the writing of Through the analysis of legal and policy ties, who helped in bringing new energy this report, which is not only an over- framework, monitoring of the implemen- into the organization, but also helped us view of the activities that we conducted, tation of policies of social housing and the see how the human rights in Serbia will but also of the highlights of many areas provision of legal aid in this area in 2013, develop. Only with young people who we dealt with in 2013. Through legal YUCOM sought to identify key obstacles have a sense of respect for human rights in help, citizens’ needs, trends in human in exercising the right to adequate housing this country can Serbia become an exem- rights violations and detection of errors of multiply socially endangered groups. plary country which would be pleasant to of the judicial system, government, po- The analysis focused on the definition and live in. Y1 YUCOM 2013 / Annual Report / No 1- 5 Y1 Broj 1, Decembar 2013. YUCOM 2013 IZveštaj O RADU 2 F FREE LEGAL AID: L UNASSESSA- BLE VALUE OF HUMAN A RIGHTS Lawyers’ Committee for Human different legal areas overlap. However, Rights - YUCOM has been very acti- for the year 2013 we can identify that ve in providing free legal aid from its the most common cases were those foundation in 1997 and it remains one pertaining to labour law - unlawful of our core activities. Currently, legal termination of employment, injuries, aid is provided by our legal team of mobbing, and other cases of violations three lawyers and three jurists. Parties of the rights of employees – and fami- may contact the legal team through our ly law - domestic violence and violen- online application form, as well as by ce against women, problems related mail and telephone. A free of charge to the exercise of parental rights, and telephone line (0700400700) has been problems with the collection of child activated in 2010 and every day a lar- support. There are frequent cases of vi- ge number of citizens call from across olation of the right to a fair trial within the country; we also often receive calls a reasonable time, and we increasingly from citizens of Serbia from abroad or receive calls from victims of various foreign citizens living in Serbia. forms of discrimination, hate speech, Annually, our legal team provides and hate crimes. Frequent cases in the legal aid services to over 800 parties. previous years included those in the They turn to us with a wide variety of fields of access to justice, discriminati- problems, which are sometimes diffi- on, police brutality and abuse of police cult to legally categorize, while several powers. 6 - YUCOM 2013 / Annual Report / No 1 FLA 2 Free Legal Aid: / unassessable value of human rights Adequate legal aid is provided to citi- rities, the length of the proceedings, number of calls, and thus significantly zens regardless of their economic or other whether the parties have legal represen- increased number of provided legal aid status on the basis of which they could be tation ( which is particularly important services. excluded from receiving adequate legal given that we are addressed by a large In September, October and No- advice. Beneficiaries of our services are number of people who already have vember 2013 YUCOM provided 340 socially disadvantaged persons, Roma, a lawyer, but for some reason they do different services of free legal aid, of LGBT people, defenders of human rights, not have enough trust in them or want which: 218 instances of legal advice (in as well as many others whose rights have to hear a second opinion), then inve- 64% of total citizens’ requests sent to been violated. sted remedies and ultimately the way YUCOM), written and sent 42 urgen- When a request for free legal aid is they heard about YUCOM. The new cies and briefs to the public authorities received, the lawyer learns about the application form is used to process the (12 %), legal information was provi- specific subject and issues that the par- data in the second half of 2013. Below ded in 35 cases (10 %), legal advocacy ty has. If necessary, we ask for copies we present an overview and statistics of undertaken in 24 cases (7 %), and the of documents from the case, then, de- legal aid provided in September, Octo- party addressed, ie.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Community Rights Assessment Report Fourth Edition
    COMMUNITY RIGHTS ASSESSMENT REPORT FOURTH EDITION NOVEMBER, 2015 Cover photograph: OSCE/Šehida Miftari, March 2015 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe MISSION IN KOSOVO Community Rights Assessment Report Fourth Edition November, 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... 4 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 5 1. INTER-COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ..................................................................................................... 6 Inter-ethnic dialogue and dealing with the past ................................................................................ 6 Education and dialogue ...................................................................................................................... 7 2. SECURITY AND JUSTICE SYSTEM ..................................................................................................... 9 Security trends and responses ............................................................................................................ 9 Rule of Law ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Property rights and reduction of backlog ......................................................................................... 13 Access to Justice ..............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • KFOS LOCAL and INTERNATIONAL VOLUME II.Pdf
    EDITED BY IOANNIS ARMAKOLAS AGON DEMJAHA LOCAL AND AROLDA ELBASANI STEPHANIE SCHWANDNER- SIEVERS INTERNATIONAL DETERMINANTS OF KOSOVO’S STATEHOOD VOLUME II LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL DETERMINANTS OF KOSOVO’S STATEHOOD —VOLUME II EDITED BY: IOANNIS ARMAKOLAS AGON DEMJAHA AROLDA ELBASANI STEPHANIE SCHWANDNER-SIEVERS Copyright ©2021 Kosovo Foundation for Open Society. All rights reserved. PUBLISHER: Kosovo Foundation for Open Society Imzot Nikë Prelaj, Vila 13, 10000, Prishtina, Kosovo. Issued in print and electronic formats. “Local and International Determinants of Kosovo’s Statehood: Volume II” EDITORS: Ioannis Armakolas Agon Demjaha Arolda Elbasani Stephanie Schwandner-Sievers PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Lura Limani Designed by Envinion, printed by Envinion, on recycled paper in Prishtina, Kosovo. ISBN 978-9951-503-06-8 CONTENTS ABOUT THE EDITORS 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 12 INTRODUCTION 13 CULTURE, HERITAGE AND REPRESENTATIONS 31 — Luke Bacigalupo Kosovo and Serbia’s National Museums: A New Approach to History? 33 — Donjetë Murati and Stephanie Schwandner- Sievers An Exercise in Legitimacy: Kosovo’s Participation at 1 the Venice Biennale 71 — Juan Manuel Montoro Imaginaries and Media Consumptions of Otherness in Kosovo: Memories of the Spanish Civil War, Latin American Telenovelas and Spanish Football 109 — Julianne Funk Lived Religious Perspectives from Kosovo’s Orthodox Monasteries: A Needs Approach for Inclusive Dialogue 145 LOCAL INTERPRETATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL RULES 183 — Meris Musanovic The Specialist Chambers in Kosovo: A Hybrid Court between
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual Harassment in Kosovo
    Sexual Harassment in Kosovo By Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, Adelina Berisha, Nicole Farnsworth, and Iliriana Banjska Kosovo Women’s Network Pristhina, Kosovo 2016 © Kosovo Women’s Network, 2016 Authors: Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, Adelina Berisha, Nicole Farnsworth, and Iliriana Banjska ISBN 978-9951-8923-1-5 Printed by Night Design in Prishtina, Kosovo, using ecofriendly printing. This research was funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with the funds of Austrian Development Cooperation. The views presented do not necessarily correspond with the views of the Austrian Development Agency. www.womensnetwork.org Contents Acronyms............................................................................................................................................ 2 Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................ 3 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................ 4 The Legal Framework .................................................................................................................... 4 Perceptions..................................................................................................................................... 4 Extent.............................................................................................................................................. 4 Institutional Response...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Gender-Based Discrimination and Labour in Kosovo
    Funded by the Co-funded by European Union Swedish Development Cooperation GENDER-BASED DISCRIMINATION AND LABOUR IN KOSOVO Implemented by: GENDER-BASED DISCRIMINATION AND LABOUR IN KOSOVO By Iliriana Banjska, David JJ Ryan, Nicole Farnsworth, Lirika Demiri, Liridona Sijarina and Adelina Tërshani 2019 © Kosovo Women’s Network, 2019 All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Union under conditions. Authors: Iliriana Banjska, David JJ Ryan, Nicole Farnsworth, Lirika Demiri, Liridona Sijarina, and Adelina Tërshani ISBN 978-9951-737-31-9 This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Kosovo Women’s Network and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. Printed by Night Design in Pristina, Kosovo, using eco-friendly printing. www.womensnetwork.org Acknowledgements The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) would like to express its gratitude to the people who were involved in this research and contributed to Kosovo’s first in-depth analysis of gender-based discrimination as it relates to labour. This included citizens and institutions who offered their thoughts and time. The Agency for Gender Equality in the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo and the Ombudsperson Institution, as associates in this action, provided vital support to KWN’s efforts in confirming interviews with institutions and reaching diverse respondents through the online survey. The Kosovo Judicial Council provided important assistance in scheduling interviews with judges, as did the Labour Inspectorate with labour inspectors throughout Kosovo. KWN thanks its hard-working and dedicated research team who conducted interviews with institutions, coded interviews and drafted sections of this report: Adelina Tërshani, Liridona Sijarina and Lirika Demiri.
    [Show full text]
  • 2010 Human Rights Report: Serbia Page 1 of 23
    2010 Human Rights Report: Serbia Page 1 of 23 Home » Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs » Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor » Releases » Human Rights Reports » 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices » Europe and Eurasia » Serbia 2010 Human Rights Report: Serbia BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices April 8, 2011 The Republic of Serbia is a multiparty parliamentary democracy with approximately 7.5 million inhabitants. Boris Tadic was reelected president in February 2008. In May 2008 voters elected a new parliament in which some minority ethnic parties won seats. Observers considered both elections to be mostly in line with international standards. Security forces reported to civilian authorities. During the year the following human rights problems were reported: physical mistreatment of detainees by police; inefficient and lengthy trials; harassment of journalists, human rights advocates, and others critical of the government; limitations on freedom of speech and religion; lack of durable solutions for large numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs); corruption in legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government including police; government failure to apprehend the two remaining fugitive war crimes suspects under indictment of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); societal violence against women and children; societal violence and discrimination against minorities, particularly Roma and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) population; and trafficking in persons. One significant human rights achievement was marked at the October 10 Pride Parade, when the government affirmed the freedom of assembly of the LGBT community. Unlike previous years, the government worked closely with planners to prepare for the event, and police successfully protected the marchers despite widespread violent protests by extremist groups.
    [Show full text]
  • Has the International Human Rights Paradigm Failed Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People? If So, What Can Be Done to Fix It?
    HAS THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS PARADIGM FAILED LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PEOPLE? IF SO, WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX IT? by Aleksandra Djordjevic A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF Master of Laws in The Faculty of Graduate Studies (Law) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Vancouver) April 2013 © Aleksandra Djordjevic, 2013 Abstract Two basic human rights principles are the prohibition against discrimination and the guarantee of equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground to all people. However, these principles have not been applied equally to those who face discrimination based on sexual identity. There is still a prescribed death penalty in eight countries for homosexual behavior and homosexual sex is criminalized in approximately 80 countries. In Uganda there is an ongoing debate about a proposed “anti-homosexuality bill,” which would inflict the death penalty on repeat offenders. In Russia, Moscow, gay Pride has been banned for the next 100 years. The goal of this thesis is to explore the power and weakness of international human rights protections for sexual minorities using Serbia, a transitional country, as a case study and to recommend best practices for fostering change. I assess the situation in Serbia by analysing the formal domestic and international legal framework in comparison to the social outcomes on the ground, as manifested by four years of Pride events. Until 2010, attempted annual Pride events were banned every year due to the “high-level of risk.” In 2010, the first Gay Pride took place in Belgrade inside a ring of protection of 5,000 police officers.
    [Show full text]
  • Kosovo Page 1 of 36
    2009 Human Rights Report: Kosovo Page 1 of 36 Home » Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs » Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor » Releases » Human Rights Reports » 2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices » Europe and Eurasia » Kosovo 2009 Human Rights Report: Kosovo BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR 2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices March 11, 2010 Kosovo is a parliamentary democracy with a population of approximately 2.2 million. Multiparty elections in 2007 for the Assembly generally reflected the will of the voters. Kosovo declared its independence in February 2008 and supplanted the UN Interim Administrative Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which had previously administered Kosovo under the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. At independence, Kosovo accepted the Ahtisaari plan, which provided for internationally sponsored mechanisms, including an International Civilian Office and the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX). The government, EULEX, and the UN-authorized North Atlantic Treaty Organization peacekeeping force for Kosovo (KFOR) generally maintained effective control over security forces. During the year reported problems and abuses included the following: deaths and injuries from unexploded ordnance or landmines; corruption and government interference in security forces and the judiciary; lengthy pretrial detention and lack of judicial due process; cases of politically and ethnically motivated violence; societal antipathy against Serbs and the Serbian Orthodox Church; lack of progress in returning internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes; government corruption; violence and discrimination against women; trafficking in persons, particularly girls and women for sexual exploitation; societal violence, abuse, and discrimination against minority communities; societal discrimination against persons with disabilities; abuse and discrimination against persons based on their sexual orientation; and child labor in the informal sector.
    [Show full text]
  • 2002 Annual Report 2002
    HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | ANNUAL REPORT 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 2002 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. We stand with victims and activists to bring offenders to justice, to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom and to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime. We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable. We challenge governments and those holding power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law. We enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all. (cover) An elderly man carries his grandson 25 kilometers to the nearest hospital. Afghanistan, October 2001. (left) These women teachers returned to work in Kabul after years of the Taliban barring them from teaching. Afghanistan, April 2002. On the morning of September 11, 2001, we were leading a board meeting in Human Rights Watch’s conference room. The south-facing windows on that crisp, clear day provided a glorious – and then horrifying – view of the World Trade Center. We watched in shock as two airplanes crashed into the downtown buildings. As human rights advocates, we have grown accustomed to the In the United States, when the Bush administration proposed immense cruelty caused by some governments, rebel groups, and special military tribunals to try non-citizens accused of terrorist acts, other perpetrators of violence, discrimination, and neglect. We hear on Human Rights Watch led the campaign that convinced the administra- a regular basis the testimony of victims of human rights abuse. But tion to avoid the most serious due-process violations.
    [Show full text]
  • Ombudsperson Institution
    Annual Report 2013 No. 13 31 March 2014 Prishtina 1 Mr. Jakup Krasniqi President of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo Prishtina Honoured President of the Assembly, Based on the Article 135 paragraph 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and the Article 27, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Law on the Ombudsperson, I am pleased to submit to you the thirteenth annual report of the Ombudsperson of the Republic of Kosovo. At the same time, please accept our request for presentation of this report in a plenary session of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, as well as opening of discussions regarding this report. Sincerely, Sami Kurteshi The Ombudsperson of the Republic of Kosovo Prishtina, 31 March 2014 2 OMBUDSPERSON'S REMARKS1 Co-existence in a democratic society necessarily requires an open, sincere and continuous inter-human communication. In the modern state, such communication is necessary between citizens and the state. The state, among others, is the entirety of human relations expressed in all possible forms: person to person, person to group, group to group, person to institution, group to institution, and institution to institution, etc. Sound communication as basis of action, relies on inter-human trust which must be rebuilt constantly. Trust between citizens and the state, which includes all possible forms of communication, is pursuant to the codified social norms observance of the laws. This trust is directly proportional with state officials - public authorities’ integrity. It is related to respecting the laws and with the establishment of internal effective and operative mechanisms of public authorities for resolving citizens' complaints.
    [Show full text]
  • A Men's Perspective on Gender Equality in Kosovo
    A Men’s Perspective on Gender Equality in Kosovo Main findings from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) International Men and Gender Equality Survey A Men’s Perspective on Gender Equality in Kosovo Main findings from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) 111 This report is the result of a co-operation between the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Kosovo, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Kosovo Office and UBO Consulting. The research and report production is financed by the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the OSCE, Folke Bernadotte Academy and UNFPA core funding. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the OSCE, UNFPA, the United Nations or any of its affiliated organizations. © OSCE/UNFPA 2018 All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may be freely used and copied for educational and other non-commercial purposes, provided that any such reproduction be accompanied by an acknowledgement of UNFPA and the OSCE as the source. Published by: OSCE Mission in Kosovo UNFPA Kosovo Abdyl Frasheri 37 Zagrebi 39 10000 Prishtinë/Priština 10000 Prishtinë/Priština Tel. +383 38 240 100 Tel. +383 38 249088 [email protected] kosovo.unfpa.org www.osce.org/kosovo Proposal for reference/cite as: OSCE Mission in Kosovo/UNFPA Kosovo (2018): A Men's Perspective on Gender Equality in Kosovo. Main Findings from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES). Prishtinë/Priština. Acknowledgements The OSCE Mission in Kosovo and UNFPA express gratitude to the following individuals and organisations for their contributions and/or support: Promundo Institute, Ruti Levtov, Care International Balkans, Besnik Leka, John Crownover, Youth Education Center Sinergija, Peer Educators Network, all experts which took part in the research, focus group participants and the whole UBO Consulting team.
    [Show full text]
  • Kosovo 2013 Human Rights Report
    KOSOVO 2013 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Kosovo is a parliamentary democracy. The constitution and laws provide for an elected unicameral Assembly, which in turn elects a president, whose choice of prime minister the Assembly must approve. The country held parliamentary elections in 2010-11 that met many international standards but also involved many irregularities, including vote buying; limitations on women’s participation, especially in rural areas; and limitations on freedom of movement for ethnic minorities. The country declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. Civilian authorities maintained control over the security forces. There were some reports that the Kosovo Police (KP) committed human rights abuses. In July NATO declared full operational capability for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), ending the executive authority of the UN-authorized NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) over the KSF. The mandate of the EU Rule-of-Law Mission (EULEX) mandate was scheduled to end in mid-2014. EULEX monitors the KP and the justice sector in a limited capacity. On April 19, the governments of Kosovo and Serbia initialed an agreement to normalize relations through an EU-facilitated dialogue. The two governments worked together to implement this and earlier agreements on integrated border management, freedom of movement, and civil registries. On July 11, as part of the April agreement, the Assembly approved an amnesty law that pardons a number of crimes committed before June 20 and encourages the further integration of northern citizens. President Atifete Jahjaga promulgated the law on September 17. On November 3, municipal elections, held throughout the country, including in northern Kosovo, were an important element of the April agreement to normalize relations.
    [Show full text]
  • Kosovo Gender Analysis
    © Kosovo Women’s Network, 2018 Authors: Nicole Farnsworth, Donjeta Morina, David JJ Ryan, Gresa Rrahmani, Vanessa Robinson-Conlon and Iliriana Banjska for the Kosovo Women’s Network ISBN This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Kosovo Women's Network and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. Printed using eco-friendly printing. Kosovo Gender Analysis 2018 Acknowledgements The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) thanks the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo for entrusting KWN with the important task of preparing this Gender Analysis to inform future EU programming in Kosovo. A team worked diligently to research and write this analysis, including Nicole Farnsworth, Donjeta Morina, David JJ Ryan, Gresa Rrahmani, Vanessa Robinson-Conlon and Iliriana Banjska. Other researchers and writers who contributed to sections of the report include Andrea Pulido, Adelina Berisha, Dardan Hoti, Lauren Hanna and Miranda Avdullahu. The authors thank KWN Executive Director Igballe Rogova, Finance Manager Besa Shehu and other KWN staff for their ongoing support. This analysis would not have been possible without contributions from interview respondents, listed in Annex 1. The authors thank the peer reviewers for their useful suggestions: Agnieszka Stolarczyk, Senior Adviser, Department of Human Rights and Communities, Organisation for Security and Co- operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Kosovo; Ajete Kërqeli, Gender Expert; Brikena
    [Show full text]