On 18 December a 7-year old child in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje was brutally attacked in the early morning hours by stray dogs and as a result he subsequently died as a consequence of injuries he sustained. The child—a resident of Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje and of Roma ethnicity with the initials D.J.—was, according to statements provided by family members, going though waste containers looking for food when he was attacked by dogs. ECMI Kosovo is deeply saddened by this event and would like to offer its condolences to the family of the child. The incident, however, reveals a larger problem in the form of the unresolved issue of unemployment and widespread poverty prevalent among the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities in Kosovo.

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Today, on Human Rights Day, the European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI) Kosovo would like to reiterate its unwavering support for the advancement of human rights and minority rights in Kosovo.

Kosovo maintains strong human rights legal framework (including at the constitutional level) adopted from international and regional human rights conventions. However, this legislation is not always adequately implemented, leading to the infringement of human rights of many citizens, particularly vulnerable and marginalised groups and individuals. The application of this framework remains ineffective for several reasons: a lack of awareness of human rights issues, limited communication and cooperation between actors, and an absence of resources and knowledge.

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Today, on the International Day to End Violence against Women, ECMI Kosovo would like to reiterate its commitment to fighting gender-based violence in Kosovo and to review our recent activities that have addressed this issue.

Gender-based violence constitutes a human rights violation in the sense it affects women in their health, dignity, security, freedom of choice, and capacity to emancipate. Around the world, at least one in every three women has been affected by some sort of abuse or violence.

The detailed press release you can find here.

The undersigned leaders of the “Platform of NGOs working with Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities”, (hereafter referred to as “the Platform”), wish to raise concern at the recent increase in migration of citizens from the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities. We ask for an immediate response by the Government of Kosovo.

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ECMI Kosovo has become aware of several incidents involving minority communities, most of which are clearly ethnically motivated. The incidents include damage to private property and stone-throwing at homes owned by Kosovo Serbs. ECMI Kosovo would like to take the opportunity to condemn them and call on the police authorities to investigate these incidents and, where appropriate, apprehend their perpetrators.

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On 14 October, the football match between Albania and Serbia was abandoned after the 41’ minute, due to clashes that occurred after a drone carrying an unofficial Albanian flag with the inscription ‘Autochthonous’, showing territories not part of the Republic of Albania, appeared on the football pitch. Following this, there were clashes between players, as well as with several fans who broke onto the pitch.
In the aftermath of the game, there have already been several gatherings of many youths in city centers. This has resulted in increased tensions throughout Kosovo, notably in the municipalities of Rahovec/Orahovac, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica and Kamenicë/Kamenica. In Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, there were reports of antagonistic crowds gathering on both sides of the Ibar/Ibër River. Luckily, no major incidents have been reported so far in Kosovo, though tensions remain high.

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