There is not an agreed definition on international law on what or who constitutes a minority. However, in democratic theory and positive law three categories of minorities are recognized: indigenous groups who were once hegemonic in their territory and who were displaced by the current state or its predecessor, other long-standing “national minority” groups who have long co-existed within the state, and new immigrant groups. This is not an exhaustive category list, because in some states some groups, like Roma, might not find their place within it.

2013 local elections were organised for the first time in the whole territory of Kosovo, including in Leposavić/Leposaviq, Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North, Zubin Potok, and Zvečan/Zveçan. This presents a new phase in Kosovo’s development after its declaration of independence in 2008. While on the one hand, participation of all citizens and ethnic communities in the elections is a positive sign for Kosovo’s fledgling democracy and rule of law, on the other hand the election of parties and Mayors that contest Kosovo’s authority and status represents a major challenge to the institutions of the state.

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. An organisation dedicated to fighting for the human rights of all citizens, particularly those belonging to minority communities, ECMI Kosovo would also like to call on government institutions and the international community to strengthen their efforts to respect, protect and fulfill human rights in Kosovo.

Violence against women is a human rights violation, a consequence of the discrimination against women, in law and also in practice, and of the persisting inequalities between men and women. Up to 70% of women and girls experience physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime. Domestic violence also remains one of the most prevalent forms of violence against women in Kosovo. As 46% of women living in Kosovo cited evidence of domestic violence in their neighbourhood, and 12% had witnessed a husband beating his spouse.2 However, more than half of the women suffering it did not report to the police.

On 27 November 2013, ECMI Kosovo and its partner organisations held the certification ceremony for successful participants of two key programmes implemented throughout 2013, aimed at mainstreaming community rights within civil service and empowering minority civil society. These programmes are an example of ECMI Kosovo’s dual approach of working to increase the capacities of government officials and institutions to effectively implement the extensive legal framework for the protection and promotion of minority rights in Kosovo, while also supporting communities to actively participate in decision-making and advocate for their interests and rights.

This publication presents ECMI Kosovo’s preliminary analysis of the results after the first round of the local elections, focusing on the Serb community. It also draws conclusions from the voter education campaign implemented throughout the pre-election period in 28 locations, as well as from the observation mission deployed on the day of the elections in 37 polling stations.