81

Wednesday, 27.05.2009.

09:34

"Minorities are leaving Kosovo"

Minorities are beginning to leave Kosovo, because they face exclusion and discrimination, says Minority Rights Group International (MRG).

Izvor: Tanjug

"Minorities are leaving Kosovo" IMAGE SOURCE
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81 Komentari

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AdamNY

pre 14 godina

I find it interesting that the report cannot seem to manage to point out or highlight concrete examples of any of the kinds of the discrimination it claims.

And in fact, the biggest claims come directly as PROPAGANDA as the report embarrassingly enough quotes directly from State Secretary in the SERBIAN "Ministry for Kosovo" Oliver Ivanovic .... a foreign govt. official that NO ONE IN KOSOVO voted for...even kosovo serbs themselves and who is in fact one of the people chided for interfering with and encourging kosovo serbs to stir up trouble and NOT to co-operate with their govt.

it seems this report was sat on too long and might have been at least more plausable 5 or 6 years ago.

if this is the best they can come with it kosovo's minority is the envy of minority groups everywhere in the balkans.

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Amer

pre 14 godina

'This is not Milosevic propaganda. This is PRE-MILOSEVIC, american NEW YORK TIMES analyse of situation in Kosovo [1987].'

With 10 years the Yugoslav government couldn't turn this situation around? Why does the Serb government think it could do any better today?

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Little Russia

pre 14 godina

@TITO

Intelligence/military operations, which I was talking about, is a Russian holy DUTY to Serbia and my post above was a direct reproach to the Russian government for their focusing on diplomatic and political approach towards Kosovo issue, though we both know that there are other much more effective ways of solving this problem.
It is our Russian guilt that Serbia is now suffering its "Kosovo tragedy". The lack of our help in 1999 was unforgivable and crucial.
We know it and remember it. It's Russian shame and sin forever! What must be done for the part of Russia is to expiate its guilt to Serbia as soon as possible, but not to just maintain this strange status-quo. And, yes, you are right - let us win!

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Milan

pre 14 godina

New York Times - 1 Nov. 1987 (two Years BEFORE Milosevic reduced Kosovo autonomy):

"The current hostilities pit separatist-minded ethnic Albanians against the various Slavic populations of Yugoslavia and occur at all levels of society, from the highest officials to the humblest peasants.

A young Army conscript of ethnic Albanian origin shot up his barracks, killing four sleeping Slavic bunkmates and wounding six others."

"Ethnic Albanians in the Government have manipulated public funds and regulations to take over land belonging to Serbs. And politicians have exchanged vicious insults.

Slavic Orthodox churches have been attacked, and flags have been torn down. Wells have been poisoned and crops burned. Slavic boys have been knifed, and some young ethnic Albanians have been told by their elders to rape Serbian girls."

"The goal of the radical nationalists among them, one said in an interview, is an ''ethnic Albania that includes western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, part of southern Serbia, Kosovo and Albania itself.'' That includes large chunks of the republics that make up the southern half of Yugoslavia."

" Last summer, the authorities in Kosovo said they documented 40 ethnic Albanian attacks on Slavs in two months. In the last two years, 320 ethnic Albanians have been sentenced for political crimes, nearly half of them characterized as severe. "

"In one incident, Fadil Hoxha, once the leading politician of ethnic Albanian origin in Yugoslavia, joked at an official dinner in Prizren last year that Serbian women should be used to satisfy potential ethnic Albanian rapists. After his quip was reported this October, Serbian women in Kosovo protested, and Mr. Hoxha was dismissed from the Communist Party. "

" Ethnic Albanians already control almost every phase of life in the autonomous province of Kosovo, including the police, judiciary, civil service, schools and factories. Non-Albanian visitors almost immediately feel the independence - and suspicion - of the ethnic Albanian authorities. "

"While 200,000 Serbs and Montenegrins still live in the province, they are scattered and lack cohesion. In the last seven years, 20,000 of them have fled the province, often leaving behind farmsteads and houses, for the safety of the Slavic north. "

This is not Milosevic propaganda. This is PRE-MILOSEVIC, american NEW YORK TIMES analyse of situation in Kosovo.

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LMN II, USA

pre 14 godina

This is the purest lie I have ever come across. Stop the RTS era propaganda B92.


What? This supposed propaganda isnt from RTS or B92. If you have a problem with this report you need to contact MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, a LONDON based group. Hopefully, in time, the rest of the West will start seeing the ethnic Skanderbegs for who they really are and give up on this dream of a "multi-ethnic" KosovO and see it for what it really is, the beginnings of a failed state run by war criminals and gangsters.

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TITO

pre 14 godina

Little Russia,
Yes, I like the way you think mate but me personally have lost all patience and respect for justice. Only might is right and I am afraid we are not Russia. I hope that we have the strengt to embark on a long road you speak off. And may we win whichever one we choose!

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peter, sydney

pre 14 godina

Ilir:
From the report:
""This is of serious concern to minorities, given the history of state-sponsored

violence against minorities in 1999, and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004, much of

which remains to be prosecuted. "

'Ilir' wrote:
> "state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999"
Peter this is a reference to ethnic cleansing by the Serb army/police, against the

Albanian minorities at the time

Actually 'Ilir', MRG are talking about the actions of the K-albanians immediately

following the civil war, when they found themselves in control of Kosovo with the

serbs & others at their 'mercy' such as the hundred's of civilian minorities that

were kidnapped & murdered afterwards ...

... as is obvious from this paragraph from the report:
"The failure to prosecute past grave human rights abuses against minority groups in

both 1999 and 2004, combined with limited minority representation in Kosovo’s police,

security forces and judiciary are further impediments to the effective enforcement of

minority rights in Kosovo. "

Which isn't really surprising since this is a report dealing with minorities in

Kosovo & whatever else they are, K-albanians are not a minority in Kosovo.


'Ilir' also wrote:
"The violence in 2004 was painful and a clear indications how far Kosovo has gone

from those dark moments. Today it's unthinkable those violences returning in Kosovo.

"

When hardly any of those who committed criminal acts in the 2004 riots (in which some

50,000 K-albanians participated) have been arrested, let alone convicted for their

crimes, I fail to see what makes you think it cannot happen again.

No punishment - no consequences - no disincentive.


'Ilir' also wrote:
"Before and during 2005 it was the UNMIK job to investigate and bring to justice

anyone accused for war crimes. "

While it was UNMIK's (& is now EULEX's) responsibility to oversee these aspects, they

cannot operate in a vacumn.

And Where there is no will on behalf of the general populace, nor on those leading

them, nor on those who are supposed to be policing them, to redress the

discrimination against all the minorities, there can be no progress in this arena.

To lay all the blame on UNMIK is a cop-out.


And wrote:
"Again there are no cases put forward from the Serb or other communities for the

Kosovo juridictions to investigate. "

Crap.


And wrote:
"It whould help a lot if Serbia would stop trying to undermine Kosovo indepedence and

encouraging the Serb in Kosovo to be part of Kosovo police/justice system. "

The 'serbs in Kosovo' were never asked if they wanted to be part of a so-called

independent 'republic of Kosovo'- they still consider themselves to be part of

Serbia.

And while they do, it is Serbia's responsibility to help them - by blocking

recognition, by setting up parallel institutions, & by material support (in which

'belgrade' needs to do a lot more).

To expect otherwise is naive.


Finally, you said:
"Again i will have to emphasise that this report is not perfect. Clearly more need to

be done if Kosovo wants to join EU or to have the western standarts. "

The report is actually fairly comprehensive, but I doubt if you read all of it as is

obvious from the above.

For instance one of the critiques is that the minorities played no part in the

drafting of those aspects of the 'pseudo-state's new constitution that deal with them

- even to the extent of consultation, let alone formulation.

What hope then that 'those aspects' will actually address their concerns.

Let alone that 'those aspects' will ever be implemented & acted upon.

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Peggy

pre 14 godina

Albanians were a majority in Kosovo, of course they should have had university-level education in their language. Here in the US, all public education is either in English or in special classes to prepare students for eventual work in English. The idea is to prepare students for life in America, not to perpetuate foreign cultures. (They do this in Europe, and I'm not sure it's such a good idea.)

BTW, as an American, I never received any of my education in Yugoslavia.
(Amer, 28 May 2009 05:22)

Amer, so do you also have Universities in Spanish to cater for areas which are overwhelmingly Hispanic?

My point was that Albanians had everything in Albanian and they still rioted and were not satisfied. WHY?

Do you think that Hispanics should riot now and demand that everything is in Spanish because they are a majority in some areas?

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RS Burns

pre 14 godina

"and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004"

The violence in 2004 was painful and a clear indications how far Kosovo has gone from those dark moments. Today it's unthinkable those violences returning in Kosovo."

Think of how far Serbia has gone since 1999. Totally dedicated to peaceful resolution of the Kosovo issue. Talk to them, compromise and achieve lasting peace.

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Niall O'Doherty

pre 14 godina

Since we are 90% kosovar albania we dont need any minorities in Kosova.
(made in kosova, 27 May 2009 19:06)

Yeah you're right. Who needs minorities. Those damn pesky Serbs, Roma, Gorani, Bosniaks etc. Get rid of them. Hey! over 250,000 plus have been ethnically cleansed from their homes since 1999. Good job guys, well done, keep at it. Whoop it up for "freedom" and "democracy"

I tell you what, while we are at it, Serbia should extend a big send off for the million plus non Serbs living in the rest of Serbia. Send those upstart Magyars back to Hungary. Give them 2 sandwiches each. 1 sandwich each to the Czechs and Slovaks. Gives the Slovenes and Croats a shot of rakia and load them on the buses to Ljubljana and Zagreb respectively. Same for the Bosniaks, Albanians and Bulgars. Send the Roma back to India on all all expenses, paid first class one way flight. Give them all a good send off including my old neighbour Mr Goldberg.

Preporučujem 24 Ne preporučujem 1
Milan

pre 14 godina

"Milan it's not me the "hypocrite", the report says so. Roma refugees lives in the nothern part of Mitrovica in an area which Kosovo goverment has no access for the last 10 years. "

@illir.

illir - I asked about situation of Roma in southern (Albanian) part of Mitrovica. Did You see Roma district Mahala? Why Roma peoples fled from Mahala to northern (Serbian) part of Mitrovica or to Serbia?

Preporučujem 17 Ne preporučujem 2
Ilir

pre 14 godina

peter, sydney, 28 May 2009 09:56 writes:

Perhaps you didn't read this bit:
"This is of serious concern to minorities, given the history of state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999, and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004, much of which remains to be prosecuted. "

"state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999"
Peter this is a reference to ethnic cleansing by the Serb army/police, against the Albanian minorities at the time.

"and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004"

The violence in 2004 was painful and a clear indications how far Kosovo has gone from those dark moments. Today it's unthinkable those violences returning in Kosovo.

Or this:
"And yet, by the end of 2005, not a single domestic war crimes case had been filed in which the victims were non-Albanians, despite crimes against Ashkali, Roma, Serb and other communities. "

Before and during 2005 it was the UNMIK job to investigate and bring to justice anyone accused for war crimes.


"The general failure of the Kosovo justice system to effectively prosecute war crimes, other criminal cases and ethnically motivated violence has also been widely reported. "

Again there are no cases put forward from the Serb or other communities for the Kosovo juridictions to investigate. Also Kosovo justice system can't persecute the Serb throwing petrol bomb and stones against the rebuilding of the houses in nothern part of Mitrovica.

And with this:
"The result is that minorities are reluctant to report instances of discrimination or crimes against them due to fear of harassment, and experience of authorities collaborating, or at the very least not prosecuting crimes committed against them. This mistrust and lack of confidence in domestic law enforcement institutions among minority groups leads to ongoing fears for their security, and a lack of willingness to return among internally displaced persons. "

I accept these critics as fair, and Kosovo goverment needs to do more to encourage the minorities joining the police and the justice system. It whould help a lot if Serbia would stop trying to undermine Kosovo indepedence and encouraging the Serb in Kosovo to be part of Kosovo police/justice system.


That's the problem with only 'seeing a part of the report'.

Again i will have to emphasise that this report is not perfect. Clearly more need to be done if Kosovo wants to join EU or to have the western standarts.

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Little Russia

pre 14 godina

@TITO
"This tragedy has gone for long enough and has to stop. I agree fully with "Denis" comments, we have to separate from Albanians and do the population exchange."

It would have terrible consequences. First of all, I read that Albanians in the Southern Serbia (which is north to Northern Mitrovica) told: “if N.Mitrovica “separate” from Kosovo, why we can’t do the same and join Kosovo. The worst solution is to yield to terrorist’s claims. Let me mention Chechnya in this case. After it had become de facto independent (absolutely out of Russian control), Basaev and Hattab in 1999 intruded into PROPER Russian territory – Dagestan. The conclusions, which must be drawn, are the following – the cancer must be ablated. The core of all problems is a KLA regime. It's not the fault of ordinary Albanians. If people are told, that they can kill and rob – they kill and rob and vice versa. I know what you think: “It’s not real”, “What about Bondsteel camp?” etc. Theoretically it’s real, since it’s not about a large-scale military operation, but more likely is a job for intelligence services. The whole problem is that there isn’t a “political will” to do that for the part of those, who must take active actions in this direction. But so far what must be done (to my point of view) is the following: to strengthen (reaffirm) Serbian sovereignty by means of international law and to take steps (let it be small steps) towards reintegration. Maybe I’m wrong, but I liked that idea with handing over passports…

Entire Kosovo is Serbia.

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Little Russia

pre 14 godina

"Milan it's not me the "hypocrite", the report says so. Roma refugees lives in the nothern part of Mitrovica in an area which Kosovo goverment has no access for the last 10 years. "

@illir.
You heard something "bad" about Northern Mitrovica, but don't remember what exactly. I will help you. Here is the full story. It's another accusation in address to KLA.

While Nato troops arrived to Kosovo – for “humanitarian intervention” – on June 1999 their Kosovo Albanian allies started their revenge not only against Serbs but also against the Roma which the Albanians accused of collaborating with Serbs. The largest Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians (RAE) community was in south Mitrovica. They were FORCED TO MOVE over Ibar river to Serb dominated north Mitrovica.

Under international administration those displaced families were placed in camps located heavily POLLUTED mining and smelter complex. The international administration know that camps were in dangerously toxic environment, the experts and non-governmental organizations demanded immediate evacuation for Roma families, however after nearly ten years – in post-war Kosovo, 200 km from the European Union’s borders – these families still are trapped in camps slowly dying from lead poisoning.

http://arirusila.wordpress.com/?s=toxic+lead+Roma

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iseult henry

pre 14 godina

The Serbs have been forced off their lands since the Turks first occupied Stari Serbia in the 15 century. However, the greatest cleansing of the Serbs and other communities happened since 1999, under the watchful eye of Nato and supported by the west. This was the plan - rid the territory of Serbs and everything will be much easier to manage. Fait accompli - everything went to plan. Now 10 years later comes this report stating that "minorities" are leaving Kosovo. A case of too litle too late.

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Serbian diaspora

pre 14 godina

No-one should be surprised that Serbs are leaving Kosovo and Metohija, least of all Biden and Obama. Amercian foreign policy should be ashamed of of its corruption, greed. Shame, Shame, Shame.

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TITO

pre 14 godina

This tragedy has gone for long enough and has to stop. I agree fully with "Denis" comments, we have to separate from Albanians and do the population exchange. There is no other way to live peacefully as we dont want to live in the same state and be oppressed. So, lets agree on separation, draw the border and build the wall. But please do not come to Serbia after that, asking for jobs!

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Little Russia

pre 14 godina

The facts are much more appalling. Albanians use intimidation tactic to keep Serbs in their ghettos, where they live, work etc. I’ve seen a piece of reporting about a Serb, who left his enclave alone and without Kfor convoy. In several days a luxurious Jeep arrived to his enclave and a plastic bag with a dismembered body of that Serb was thrown down from it. It was a clear message. People got the idea and there were no volunteers any more to freely have a walk along Kosovo. For Albanians it’s enough from time to time to make Serbs "know their place". During the celebration of a so-called “independence” of Kosovo this year a Kosovan flag was hung out on the altar of the Orthodox Church of Sts Peter and Paul in the village of Brod, in Drajkovc. In Gniljan, Albanians fired at a group of Serbs. A 24 year old Serb Vasco Arsic was wounded and hospitalized. NOBODY was hold liable for that. Albanians can bear guns and fire WITH IMPUNITY. Kosovan police deliberately doesn’t protect Serbs. About what language or cultural rights are you talking? The things are much more horrible!

Some cynical posters over here asked, why all Serbs haven’t left Kosovo (what a pity, eh?), if their life is so dire. Let’s recall Srpska Krajna - many Serbs there stayed till the last moment (unfortunately for them), especially those who had nowhere to go. It’s a peculiarity of human psychology – habit and desperation dull sense of insecurity.

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peter, sydney

pre 14 godina

"See part of the report:
...
Not even a single sentence talks about the Albanians in Kosovo terrorising or mistreating the minorities, or the Serb for that matter.
Clearly Kosovo has gone a long way ! Let's ingurage a democratic and free Kosovo for all the communities.
(Ilir, 27 May 2009 18:28) "


Perhaps you didn't read this bit:
"This is of serious concern to minorities, given the history of state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999, and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004, much of which remains to be prosecuted. "

Or this:
"And yet, by the end of 2005, not a single domestic war crimes case had been filed in which the victims were non-Albanians, despite crimes against Ashkali, Roma, Serb and other communities. "

And which continues with this:
"The general failure of the Kosovo justice system to effectively prosecute war crimes, other criminal cases and ethnically motivated violence has also been widely reported. "

And with this:
"The result is that minorities are reluctant to report instances of discrimination or crimes against them due to fear of harassment, and experience of authorities collaborating, or at the very least not prosecuting crimes committed against them. This mistrust and lack of confidence in domestic law enforcement institutions among minority groups leads to ongoing fears for their security, and a lack of willingness to return among internally displaced persons. "


That's the problem with only 'seeing a part of the report'.

Take the blinkers off 'Ilir'.

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Pro-Serbia

pre 14 godina

Hmmm.. is this the pledge of Mr. Hashim Thaci that they so called protect the minorities ??? I guessed the snake lied to the world…

WAKE UP NATO / WEST AND SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

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Ilir

pre 14 godina

Where is Roma district Mahala in Mitrovica - in northern or southern part of city? Where escaped Roma from Mahala - to serbian side or mayby to albanian side? Where are Roma refugee camps - in North or in South?

Dont' be hypocrite - Roma escaped from ALBANIAN part of Mitrovica.
(Milan, 27 May 2009 23:55)

Milan it's not me the "hypocrite", the report says so. Roma refugees lives in the nothern part of Mitrovica in an area which Kosovo goverment has no access for the last 10 years.
The report concetrate in nothern part of Mitrovica (controlled by Serbs parallel juridictions) and there are no mention of other part of Kosovo where Serb and other minorities lives.Also there is no criticism of the way Kosovo goverment is dealt with orthodox churhes in Kosovo.
As an Albanian i welcome the report and it's what we been saying for years now. An indepedent Kosovo and a Kosovo in EU is the best solution to the economic crisis, and to guarantee the minorities rights.

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Amer

pre 14 godina

"Albanians had education in their own language and this was not enough. So, now you are saying that in the US you can't have that but when you had it in Yugoslavia you didn't think it was enough."

Albanians were a majority in Kosovo, of course they should have had university-level education in their language. Here in the US, all public education is either in English or in special classes to prepare students for eventual work in English. The idea is to prepare students for life in America, not to perpetuate foreign cultures. (They do this in Europe, and I'm not sure it's such a good idea.)

BTW, as an American, I never received any of my education in Yugoslavia.

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Daveo Dinkum

pre 14 godina

Poor Pols are leaving Britain, Brits are moving out of NZ and Aus, Serbs are moving out of Serbia and so on ...
(Olf, 27 May 2009 13:40)

Can you please provide your reference for Brits leaving Australia & NZ. In fact Brits are migrating here as much as they ever have.

I believe that's a poor comparison. Comparing a province well known for restriction of basic human rights and a poor economy to multicultural nations with a strong economy (even in these tough times)

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Milan

pre 14 godina

"This is a area near Mitrovice where Kosovo goverment has no power as Serbs have their own parallel jurisdiction system. "

Where is Roma district Mahala in Mitrovica - in northern or southern part of city? Where escaped Roma from Mahala - to serbian side or mayby to albanian side? Where are Roma refugee camps - in North or in South?

Dont' be hypocrite - Roma escaped from ALBANIAN part of Mitrovica.

Preporučujem 32 Ne preporučujem 0
Peggy

pre 14 godina

"I'm not in Kosova, I don't know what the conditions are, but when minorities complain about lack of access tertiary education in their own languages you have to wonder where in the world there is university-level education in Ashkali, Egyptian, Roma, etc. (Not in the US, I can assure you.) "

Amer @32, this is exactly what Albanians had but they still rioted and schemed until they provoked a war there. Albanians had education in their own language and this was not enough. So, now you are saying that in the US you can't have that but when you had it in Yugoslavia you didn't think it was enough.

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alban

pre 14 godina

Everybody: rad their full report! Apparently they want new munis for Bosniaks, Roma, etc etc and make everyone official languages. It's insane, I would love to see what they say about Serbia. All their stats are based on "he estimated"

They also want to remove enclaves so be careful :-)

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lili

pre 14 godina

rtkonline gives every day programs in serbian,turkish,bosnian and roma language.futhermore you have serbian radio and minorities radiofinaced by the eu in every region,and of course you have the serbian program from belgrade,as you always had in kosovo...
So why is this guy saying that ?Push for a new conflit?

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timotimekvej

pre 14 godina

Olf, you can ask any serb on Kosovo&Metohija and he will answer you that he is leaving because albanian repression that lasted for whole decade (1998-2009). Albanians were also leaving Kosovo&Metohija in 1999 when they were brutally bombed by their friendly NATO allies. And answer me do you consider yourself as an objective and neutral commentator?

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MarKo

pre 14 godina

On writing this there are 40 comments and none of them answer BGannon's question yet presumably the pro separatist crowd is voting against his comment. It is easy to vote against something, its hard to come up with your own ideas.


Bgannon, I agree with most of your comments except that Pristina and the internationals are not the only ones to blame. I blame the permissive divided and weak authorities and politicians in Belgrade as they are not providing material support for these people or even moral support; what would be wrong with pressuring the EU on this? Why wasn't Biden asked about this in front of a Camera last week?

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Steve J.P.

pre 14 godina

Of course minorities are leaving Kosovo; that was part of the plan from the beginning from Kosovo's functioning ethnic Albanian government. Pretend to the USA and NATO Europe that Kosovo is for everyone; then after the USA and NATO Europe puts the current government in power through a bloody, horrible war that government allows life to continue to be a living hell for the minorities, then puts the blame squarely on the economy when the fact is the KLA whipped up mass frenzy hysteria against Kosovo's minorities and their Christian religion. Is the current functioning government of Kosovo going to do a re-education campaign for Kosovo society to accept or at least tolerate Kosovo's minorities and their religion? Of course not.

Preporučujem 31 Ne preporučujem 2
dave(UK)

pre 14 godina

Its no suprise really, what is Kosovo really? its nothing more in a protectorate province administered by the EU. The province is divided, the Albanians are still hung up on the war, the province is poor, no real investment from the west because to be frank we dont really care.

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GSP

pre 14 godina

This entire "independence" claim from the snake & his cronies is such a bunch of malarchy.

These people don't know what they want - to be "kosovars", albanians, or Serbian citizens by way of passport.

All the former kosovars are being arrested, deported or held on trafficking charges....what gives? Then you have Biden visiting & cheering on their independence....the blind leading the blind.

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Ilir

pre 14 godina

See part of the report:

"In this latest report, MRG says the lack of certainty over the status of the territory as a result of Serbia’s objection to Kosovo’s independence has limited the practical application of international human rights law.

“There is a danger that the new international organisations operating in Kosovo will compound the failure of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo to ensure a tolerant, multi-ethnic society,” says Lattimer.

MRG warns that unless this trend is reversed, it will see the steady migration of minority groups who have lived in Kosovo for hundreds of years, such as Bosniaks and Turks, and who have other states to migrate to."

Serbia failure to recognise Kosovo as an indepedent country is the only reason why a few Serb are leaving Kosovo.
The international community need to do more to support Kosovo economy and to work closely with the Roma and Bosniaks minorities.

A bit more about the report:
"A decade after the conflict people from minority communities still languish in displaced camps in dire conditions near Mitrovica. For Ashkali, Egyptian and Roma, who have no other countries to escape to, these trends are likely to lead to engrained poverty and further marginalization for generations to come, the report says."

This is a area near Mitrovice where Kosovo goverment has no power as Serbs have their own parallel jurisdiction system.
Yes it's clear that Kosovo needs to do more and every one understand the challenges.
However the situation is a far cry from Kosovo before the indepedence, and no comparison to Kosovo under Serbia Milosevic regime.

And to top it all :

"The report says that the process of EU accession has the potential to bring about improvement in Kosovo. It calls on the EU to broaden and improve the attention it gives to the issues faced by smaller minorities in the country and also to the issue of multiple discrimination of minority women."
I couldn't possibly argue with that.

Not even a single sentence talks about the Albanians in Kosovo terrorising or mistreating the minorities, or the Serb for that matter.
Clearly Kosovo has gone a long way ! Let's ingurage a democratic and free Kosovo for all the communities.

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prizreni

pre 14 godina

This is not because they don't have rights and they are leaving Kosovo. It's because of the economy situation, even few albanians if they would have a chance to leave they would do it. But sure for serbian people this news is different meaning , they are leaving because they don't have rights.

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alban

pre 14 godina

Serbia's dumbest move (and they have made quite a few!) was to try to keep Kosova as poor as possible and tensions as high as possible: "Narco state," "Serbs live in Concentration camps," "Boycott the temporary instituions" etc

What happened? Kosova still declared independence but unfortunately many minorities, especially Serbs, left for Serbia in search of a better life. More will leave once Serbia gets the Schengen deal as well. This of course hurts our efforts to make the state a multi-ethnic success, but it's on Serbia's hands.

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Kosovo-UK

pre 14 godina

To all Kosovo supporters claiming propoganda please read the following:
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200905270556dowjonesdjonline000476&title=excludedminorities-leaving-kosovo-rights-group

This so called piece of propoganada was written by a London (UK - so called Kosovo ally, not likely to sabotage their own pet project) based group.

This article is not so much about returning as it is about mass exodous of minorities. When local economies are stumbling, it is a hard sell to claim all these people leaving are leaving because of tough financial times. They'll have just as much trouble or more trying to find work in another country.

Preporučujem 13 Ne preporučujem 17
Denis

pre 14 godina

Perhaps now albanians understand why Kosovo must be partitioned and why the North should never allow itself to be a part of the "multicultural Kosovo"?
(MikeC, 27 May 2009 15:12)

Amen to that. Take the north and move on. I am all for it, but I am sure most of the albanians would claim Presevo if they give you Mitrovica.

Not me though, take Mitrovica above Ibar, or maybe a population exchange if you prefer,
and allow us to build a wall so no serbs come south and no albanians go north.

This will keep the conflict away from Kosovo and Serbia, and contribute in economic development. We can't live together in peace, so let's split up for a while.

Preporučujem 23 Ne preporučujem 10
Mike

pre 14 godina

No need to worry folks, my country refers to Kosovo as a "multiethnic" "democratic" and "functioning state", and anything the US says must be true.

Preporučujem 46 Ne preporučujem 16
peter, sydney

pre 14 godina

"Its not discrimination, its about economy...
(Pejoni, 27 May 2009 10:53) "

"What a lie!!!!!!...
(Pz, 27 May 2009 11:11) "

"This is the purest lie I have ever come across. Stop the RTS era propaganda B92...
(LOL, 27 May 2009 11:16) "

"They should back up their arguments with real facts!...
(nikshala, 27 May 2009 11:48) "

etc.


Judging by the almost universal state of denial shown by K-albanian's here, is not really surprising that the minority rights supposedly enshrined within their 'constitution' have so little relevance to the actual reality on the ground in Kosovo.

Take your 'blinkers' off people & read the report - for is impossible to rectify a problem if you deny it even exists.

http://www.minorityrights.org/7856/reports/filling-the-vacuum-ensuring-protection-and-legal-remedies-for-minorities-in-kosovo.html


ps: MRG is an NGO under the UN originally organised to combat apartheid & is not a 'serb propaganda'vehicle.

pps: And reports bibliography is quite extensive 'nikshala' - as you would have known if you were really interested in 'the facts' & had bothered to actually read it.

Preporučujem 38 Ne preporučujem 8
Pz

pre 14 godina

(RS Burns, 27 May 2009 12:32)”

Now, my question is, do these Serbs really want to return? If the answer is yes, then there is nothing to stop them, I emphasize, nothing at all, especially now after the declaration of independence. Kosovo authorities would do anything possible to help everyone return because that way they would send a signal to the remaining world countries that haven’t recognized Kosovo, that an Independent Kosovo is the right solution.

I know Serbs enjoy more rights by laws than every other community living in Kosovo, including Albanians, now it is something else that they don’t want to get benefit of them. The Ahtisary Plan gives rights to Serbs living in Kosovo far more than they could ever get them even if they were to live in Serbia proper.
Kosovo’s parliament has 120 seats, 10 are reserved only for Serbs, no matter if they choose to participate in elections. Every institution, budgetary agencies, even international organizations have some percentage of reserved jobs for Serbs and other communities. Serbs (not all though) even 10 years after the war still drive their cars without KS registration plates (these plates were issued by UNMIK, under 1244) and they don’t get tickets. For 10 years they were not paying for any utilities (electricity, water, property taxes, etc). There are local radio and TV stations in every minority languages (out of around 130 more than 30 are owned by minorities) and there is a special fund established by the Government to support them. University and high schools have reserved places for communities’ students and they can enroll without any criteria, all it takes is their desire, etc etc, and yet again some say these communities are leaving Kosovo because they are being discriminated.

In every society, even in the most advanced ones there is some kind of discrimination you refer to and minorities somehow feel a bit different. So to my understanding, if these things are well regulated by laws then it is up to every minority community to decide how much they want to be part of that bigger society and benefit.

So, to cut the long story short, communities in Kosovo were ‘positively discriminated’ for too long, and now they are having problems in overall inclusion processes.

Thank you nik shala for adding some points to my post ;).

Please read these definitions of discrimination and be honest and tell me if Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, Serbs, Turks, are really being discriminated, as per it definition, in Kosovo.

“Discrimination generally means doing something in favour of, or against a person. This involves making a distinction between one person and another and treating him or her differently. Anti-discrimination law adopts a formulation of discrimination as being, not only different treatment, but also less favourable treatment.
Less favourable treatment indicates a sense of comparison between two people where one person is treated less favourably than another person. Discrimination is seen as being against one person,[5] namely the one who has been treated in an unfair or unequal manner. In many situations this less favourable treatment will be unlawful under anti-discrimination law.
Discrimination can be direct or indirect. Direct discrimination requires a comparison to be made between the treatment of the person discriminated against and a different real or hypothetical person.[6] Indirect discrimination involves treatment which appears to be neutral or fair but which has the effect of disadvantaging a particular group.
Direct discrimination tends to focus on a disadvantage suffered by one person, the notion of indirect discrimination centres more on group based disadvantage.[7] However, this does not mean that direct discrimination happens only to individuals or that indirect discrimination happens only to groups.[8]
The making of a comparison between two groups involves an assumption that two groups or sorts of people can be compared and that they should be treated equally.[9] This is not always possible as there are occasions when such a comparison is unhelpful or inappropriate, such as trying to compare pregnant women to men.”

Preporučujem 26 Ne preporučujem 30
Ventura405

pre 14 godina

This is an example of another failed USA nation-building project. I am disgusted as an American. I hope that Obama, and administrations forward, will not exploit people in other parts of the world for their own geo-political ambitions. As the first poster said, poor people.

Preporučujem 39 Ne preporučujem 13
Rod

pre 14 godina

"So, to cut the long story short, communities in Kosovo were ‘positively discriminated’ for too long, and now they are having problems in overall inclusion processes."

Fully agree with you Pz,UNMIK has spoiled them a lot.

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Amer

pre 14 godina

I'm not in Kosova, I don't know what the conditions are, but when minorities complain about lack of access tertiary education in their own languages you have to wonder where in the world there is university-level education in Ashkali, Egyptian, Roma, etc. (Not in the US, I can assure you.)

Getting permission to live in most better-off countries depends on being persecuted rather than poor, so of course people claim this. Roma were travelling to London by the planeload from the Czech Republic when I lived there, all claiming to be refugees from persecution. It got to the point that Britain set up checkpoints at the Prague airport to prevent them from even getting on the plane.

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Dragan, Toronto

pre 14 godina

The Albanian dream of a having a monoethnic society in KOSOVO is becoming more and more clearer, despite the weak international calls against it.

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MikeC

pre 14 godina

"They behaviour especially during the 90s are the reason why Serbs are experiencing retribution from the Albanian side".
Chacha

At least this albanian is honest enough to admit the master plan is to rid Kosovo of all minorities.

Perhaps now albanians understand why Kosovo must be partitioned and why the North should never allow itself to be a part of the "multicultural Kosovo"?

Preporučujem 50 Ne preporučujem 20
RS Burns

pre 14 godina

"They behaviour especially during the 90s are the reason why Serbs are experiencing retribution from the Albanian side.
(Chacha, 27 May 2009, 13:21)"

At least you are truthful. This is exactly what Albanian people (justified or not) think. So there goes your tolerant multi ethnic state.

The promises made in support of independence cannot and will not be kept.

Preporučujem 56 Ne preporučujem 10
nikshala

pre 14 godina

"Tell me honestly. If you were a Serb chased out in 2004 would you be comfortable in returning to a normal life? If you were a Serb from Pristina, would you be comfortable returning to a normal life? Until that situation is created then Kosovo has failed.

Tell me honestly. If you were in a minority group in Kosovo, would you feel different? Would you think you had the same opportunity as ethnic Albanians? Do you think Albanians would buy from an Albanian before buying from a Serb if the price was the same?
(RS Burns, 27 May 2009 12:32) "

RS Burns,

You raise some valid points. The situation of minorities in Kosovo is far from perfect, however a lot has been done in the last ten years, and it is certainly not as bad as some think it is. Most serbs are free to go wherever they want, and their 'enclaves' are not surrounded in barber wire. If you have been to Kosovo recently, you would know that.

I would like to ask you the following questions:

If you were K.albanian that was chased out during '99 or had someone you know killed by serbs, would you be comfortable in returning to a normal life as part of Serbia?

Tell me honestly. If you were an albanian in Serbia, would you feel different? Would you think you had the same opportunity as Serbs? Do you think Serbs would buy from an Albanian before buying from a Serb if the price was the same?

The truth is that all the Balkan countries that went through the 90's wars have a long way to go to achieve acceptable conditions for their minorities. This is understandable considering the brutality of the wars and the scars that they have left.

Preporučujem 40 Ne preporučujem 33
Patriota

pre 14 godina

Cry me a river!!! If they want to leave let them do it. Life is hard, but not only in Kosovo. What do these minorities want?? More rights than the majority?? Maybe they want to be able to be in charge of 2 million Albanians so that thye can beat them?? Those days are gone.

Preporučujem 26 Ne preporučujem 70
John

pre 14 godina

What a complete waste of time to compile such report. Everyone knows that is the "economy stupid". Open the doors and every living thing in Kosovo will get out. Why would anyone live in a place where there are no paying jobs, no running water and electricity. School system is the wors probably in the whole europe. People regardles of their ethnicity are looking to get and migrate to better places. This is the sad reality and Thaqi and Sejdiu better wake up and start working to benefit the lives of the Kosovo citizens.

Preporučujem 18 Ne preporučujem 32
Chacha

pre 14 godina

According the Artisaari-Plan, minorities should gain a lot of power, unprecedented in the world. "Unfortuntely", the Serbian side rejected it. Now we see the direct result. I wouldn't like either to live in a neighborhood in which people are not happy about the measure of my home country, so blame the Serbian government as well as the Serbian extremists that there was no solution. They behaviour especially during the 90s are the reason why Serbs are experiencing retribution from the Albanian side.

Preporučujem 20 Ne preporučujem 66
Dragan

pre 14 godina

This is called 'ethnic cleansing'.
Of course people are leaving when they have no freedom of movement, no human rights, are afraid to speak their native tongue in public, and need military escorts to go grocery shopping. The fact that barbed wire 'ghettos' still exist in the 21'st century is an absolute shame and disgrace. I hope Biden and his gang of anti-Serb hate mongers are proud of themselves for this genocide they have created in Kosovo. American citizens need to know what is being done in their name. Shame.

Preporučujem 73 Ne preporučujem 16
Olf

pre 14 godina

It is called movement of people. Economic situation in Kosova is not one of the best in the Europe.
Poor Pols are leaving Britain, Brits are moving out of NZ and Aus, Serbs are moving out of Serbia and so on ...

Preporučujem 25 Ne preporučujem 67
Aljosa

pre 14 godina

I don't understand why this is "propaganda", that word seems to be the only response to any criticism the provincial institutions receive. This article by b92 is filled with quotes, is it not? They clearly state the source. If u believe b92 is being biased in their selection of news on Kosovo then thats another thing. However, i think b92 is on an equal footing when reporting on Kosovo developments, considering they're stationed in Belgrade

Can any Albanian send me a link to one Kosovo news article mentioning anything positive about Serbia or Serbs.It just has to be one and sports or eurovision articles don't count.

If the goal is to have a multi-ethnic society, then one important factor is freedom of media. How free is Kosovo's media? The Eu, i dont know if intentional or lack of care but they have done nothing in this regard. Not only in Kosovo but the Bosnian media is contributing to the failure of the Bosnian state. They are deeply segregated.

Preporučujem 64 Ne preporučujem 19
Explanation

pre 14 godina

This only goes to confirm what everyone had long known: Project Kosovo UDI was all about getting the West out of a hole. Declare victory and leave before the 'liberated' turn on their liberators!

Quite apart from knowing that independence was illegal, everyone knew that Kosovo was never going to be a functioning multi-ethnic state. No one could ever have believed otherwise.

What makes all this even more unbelievable is that, for all the international criticism heaped on Serbia, look at how many nationalities live in the rest of the country in peace. Considering it in its totality - Vojvodina and Sandzak - Serbia is the most diverse state in the Balkans. Kosovo could have remained autonomous within Serbia, but no one had the stomach to stand up to the Kosovo Albanians. It was simply easier to support an illegal UDI. However, this very short term 'fix' to appease troublemakers comes with a long-term price. Kosovo is an illegitimate 'state', dependent on handouts and slowly becoming less and less multiethnic.

Well done!

Preporučujem 78 Ne preporučujem 17
Biljana

pre 14 godina

For us Serbs this is not surprise a bit.
However, can somebody please send a copy of this report
to Helsinki, right on the Martti Ahtisaari’s address, a fellow peace
dealer (for suitcase full of money) and Nobel peace prize winner.

I am trying to figure out did K-Albanians actually had in mind
minorities when releasing information (for tourists) of Polar bears residing
in Shar Mountains? I mean, according to their judgment, minorities in
Kosovo are as protected as Polar bears, thus must be kept (becuase of its wild nature) in reservates and isolated by barbed wires. It must have been that. We were
just not enough clever to realise what polar bears were symbolizing back then and nowadays.

It seems that MRG did not realise it yet as well, how foolish they must be. But, again,
the representatives of MRG must ask Ahtisaari and K-Albanians for an explanation.

Oh, yes, MRG is actually Serbian DB’s secret organization with the main
goal to destabilise such prosperous paradise in Kosovo, Milosevic’s and RTS propaganda, or even B92 propaganda.

Preporučujem 75 Ne preporučujem 19
Little Russia

pre 14 godina

"Its no wonder that the Serbs, Roma and Gorani among others living behind barbed wire and guarded 24 hours a day by Kfor troops in their ethnic ghettos want nothing to do with the KLA narco state."

And here is a photo of Kfor convoy, without which Serbs can't leave their ghettos.

http://www.kosovo-rus.narod.ru/photos/04.html

Preporučujem 64 Ne preporučujem 21
Tymi

pre 14 godina

I agree with Pejoni. The "discrimination" phenomenon is not new in the region. I condemn any political pressure against any minority. What I am wondering about the report is that the main claim is that these minorities are not getting access or do not have at all education system offered in their language. I do not know if in Kosovo Egyptian, Ashkali or other languages exist. I know only Serbian and Albanian and probably some Turks.

Preporučujem 29 Ne preporučujem 33
RS Burns

pre 14 godina

"What a lie!!!!!! If Roma, Ashkali, Egyptians, Turks, Serbs, living in Kosovo have less rights by laws and constitution than the ones living in other region countries (where they are minority) and even EU than they could have some basis to say that these comunities are discriminated. But, everyone knows it is the oposite...."
(Pz, 27 May 2009 11:11)

With respect. This is where the problem lies. You can legislate all you want to appease western countries but that does not prevent discrimination unless it is enforced. Even if it is enforced it does not guarantee that discrimination will not take place.

Words and legislation are one thing - actions and reality is another.

On the basis that the whole issue of Kosovo independence has been sold on a tolerant multi ethnic basis then it should do more that most to ensure it can to live up to its guarantees.

Tell me honestly. If you were a Serb chased out in 2004 would you be comfortable in returning to a normal life? If you were a Serb from Pristina, would you be comfortable returning to a normal life? Until that situation is created then Kosovo has failed.

Tell me honestly. If you were in a minority group in Kosovo, would you feel different? Would you think you had the same opportunity as ethnic Albanians? Do you think Albanians would buy from an Albanian before buying from a Serb if the price was the same?

Preporučujem 71 Ne preporučujem 20
Pz

pre 14 godina

What a lie!!!!!! If Roma, Ashkali, Egyptians, Turks, Serbs, living in Kosovo have less rights by laws and constitution than the ones living in other region countries (where they are minority) and even EU than they could have some basis to say that these comunities are discriminated. But, everyone knows it is the oposite. In December last year I was in Slovakia and visited several locations, i.e. settlements inhabited by Roma community and I simply could not believe what I saw and heared from those people, and to think that Slovakia is a EU country makes it even worse.

Preporučujem 59 Ne preporučujem 63
The Swiss

pre 14 godina

Who loves Kosova lives in Kosova!
(ben, 27 May 2009 11:01)

Now I understand why the 200 thds and more K-Albanians living in Switzerland do not want to go back...

Preporučujem 88 Ne preporučujem 31
A

pre 14 godina

The smaller minorities? Who are the larger minorities?

I agree that some minorities are discriminated but I know that Serbs are not one of those. Serbs are the most privileged ethnic group in Kosovo and has the highest living standards according to several reports by UNDP.

Minorities that are being discriminated and I am ashamed by, this are Roma and Turks.

The international community has failed because in their head minorities in Kosovo is a synonym for Serbs, and the other minorities are never mentioned, even though those have shown greater interest to integrate than the Serbs.

Preporučujem 32 Ne preporučujem 52
LOL

pre 14 godina

This is the purest lie I have ever come across. Stop the RTS era propaganda B92. The only minorety that doesn't wan't to be part of Kosovo state is the Serbs and Gorani(Serbs) all other are part of Kosovo. They are in the police forece, KSF, and parliament. They get a lot more in our constitution then they would ever get in Serbia or even ever got from Serbia during Yugo time.

Preporučujem 36 Ne preporučujem 85
MikeC

pre 14 godina

So much for a free and democratic Kosovo. I guess it only applies to the Albanians. No wonder Serbs in the North don't want to join and recognize Albanian institutions. If they do, they will face a similar faith. Wonder when we Serbs are going to treat the Presevo Albanians the same way?

Preporučujem 64 Ne preporučujem 35
Niall O'Doherty

pre 14 godina

Not hardly surprising. The irridentist Albanian project being played out in the province of Kosmet is starting to show its true face; hyper nationalistic, crypto-fascist agenda that is intolerant of other views and nationalities.

I'm sure the ICJ will be made aware of the so called "democracy" flowering in Kosovo and the "best protected ethnic minorities in the world" guff that is constantly spouted by the Albanians here.

Its no wonder that the Serbs, Roma and Gorani among others living behind barbed wire and guarded 24 hours a day by Kfor troops in their ethnic ghettos want nothing to do with the KLA narco state.

The US/NATOs pet project seems to be moving along just nicely for now, but just like every junkyard dog that they backed, this one, in time (like Saddam Hussein & Islamic fundementalists) will bite them.

The West in time shall reap a terrible harvest.

Preporučujem 102 Ne preporučujem 44
ben

pre 14 godina

There must be at least 3 million minorities in Kosova- they are "leaving" Kosova for at least 30 years...

Or perheps an individual decision is sold as collective and process???

Who loves Kosova lives in Kosova!

Preporučujem 53 Ne preporučujem 89
Peter, B

pre 14 godina

... so much for the protection of minorities promised by Thaci et al. This criminal act of UDI must be stopped or we will see global shifs of populations throughout the world. Minorities will be harassed as secessionist groups use the Kosovo precedent to claim independence!

Preporučujem 80 Ne preporučujem 32
nikshala

pre 14 godina

They should back up their arguments with real facts!

How many have left Kosovo in the last year?

Where have they gone?

Is there a higher percentage of minorities leaving Kosovo than albanians?

Is there more people returning to Kosovo than leaving?

A serious organization should not just make broad statements like that without backing it up with evidence, unless this is just some poor propaganda.

Preporučujem 41 Ne preporučujem 68
MikeC

pre 14 godina

"Who loves Kosova lives in Kosova"!
ben

Is that why 1 million Kosovo Albanians live outside of Kosovo?

Albanians are quick to judge Serbia on lack of minority rights. But, when it comes to Kosovo any news like this is suddenly not true. Just look at the facts on the ground. In Serbia there are all kinds of minorities. They are NOT leaving while in Kosovo they are. What's even worse is that NATO is suppose to protect these people. The remaining Serbs in Kosovo should trust only themselves, not NATO and definately not any Albanian promises of being part of Kosovo. Albanian objectives in Kosovo have always been to rid the territory of anything that's not Albanian.

Preporučujem 94 Ne preporučujem 33
Pejoni

pre 14 godina

Ppl are fleeing Bulgaria, Romania and Poland let alone Kosovo.

Its not discrimination, its about economy. 10x more Albanians leave then all minorities combined. I would really appriciate if B92 would link for other neighboring countries or did they only stopped in "Kosovo"?

Preporučujem 56 Ne preporučujem 97
bganon

pre 14 godina

Now this bears out the suspicions of Serbs and of those that were led to believe that NATO went to war on Kosovo in the name of a multicultural society. Clearly this is failing.

But its the governing authorities in Kosovo that bare primary responsibility. That means the internationals who govern.

To moderate Albanians who say its time for internationals to go home, I ask do you think that minorities will return once the internationals have gone, or do you suspect that more will leave? If anybody wants to answer this question I have another one. Do you support a monoethnic society in Kosovo?

I am serious when I say that we have something like in multiethnic society in my city Belgrade, and I'm quite happy with it.

Preporučujem 108 Ne preporučujem 37
bganon

pre 14 godina

Now this bears out the suspicions of Serbs and of those that were led to believe that NATO went to war on Kosovo in the name of a multicultural society. Clearly this is failing.

But its the governing authorities in Kosovo that bare primary responsibility. That means the internationals who govern.

To moderate Albanians who say its time for internationals to go home, I ask do you think that minorities will return once the internationals have gone, or do you suspect that more will leave? If anybody wants to answer this question I have another one. Do you support a monoethnic society in Kosovo?

I am serious when I say that we have something like in multiethnic society in my city Belgrade, and I'm quite happy with it.

Preporučujem 108 Ne preporučujem 37
Niall O'Doherty

pre 14 godina

Not hardly surprising. The irridentist Albanian project being played out in the province of Kosmet is starting to show its true face; hyper nationalistic, crypto-fascist agenda that is intolerant of other views and nationalities.

I'm sure the ICJ will be made aware of the so called "democracy" flowering in Kosovo and the "best protected ethnic minorities in the world" guff that is constantly spouted by the Albanians here.

Its no wonder that the Serbs, Roma and Gorani among others living behind barbed wire and guarded 24 hours a day by Kfor troops in their ethnic ghettos want nothing to do with the KLA narco state.

The US/NATOs pet project seems to be moving along just nicely for now, but just like every junkyard dog that they backed, this one, in time (like Saddam Hussein & Islamic fundementalists) will bite them.

The West in time shall reap a terrible harvest.

Preporučujem 102 Ne preporučujem 44
MikeC

pre 14 godina

"Who loves Kosova lives in Kosova"!
ben

Is that why 1 million Kosovo Albanians live outside of Kosovo?

Albanians are quick to judge Serbia on lack of minority rights. But, when it comes to Kosovo any news like this is suddenly not true. Just look at the facts on the ground. In Serbia there are all kinds of minorities. They are NOT leaving while in Kosovo they are. What's even worse is that NATO is suppose to protect these people. The remaining Serbs in Kosovo should trust only themselves, not NATO and definately not any Albanian promises of being part of Kosovo. Albanian objectives in Kosovo have always been to rid the territory of anything that's not Albanian.

Preporučujem 94 Ne preporučujem 33
The Swiss

pre 14 godina

Who loves Kosova lives in Kosova!
(ben, 27 May 2009 11:01)

Now I understand why the 200 thds and more K-Albanians living in Switzerland do not want to go back...

Preporučujem 88 Ne preporučujem 31
Peter, B

pre 14 godina

... so much for the protection of minorities promised by Thaci et al. This criminal act of UDI must be stopped or we will see global shifs of populations throughout the world. Minorities will be harassed as secessionist groups use the Kosovo precedent to claim independence!

Preporučujem 80 Ne preporučujem 32
Explanation

pre 14 godina

This only goes to confirm what everyone had long known: Project Kosovo UDI was all about getting the West out of a hole. Declare victory and leave before the 'liberated' turn on their liberators!

Quite apart from knowing that independence was illegal, everyone knew that Kosovo was never going to be a functioning multi-ethnic state. No one could ever have believed otherwise.

What makes all this even more unbelievable is that, for all the international criticism heaped on Serbia, look at how many nationalities live in the rest of the country in peace. Considering it in its totality - Vojvodina and Sandzak - Serbia is the most diverse state in the Balkans. Kosovo could have remained autonomous within Serbia, but no one had the stomach to stand up to the Kosovo Albanians. It was simply easier to support an illegal UDI. However, this very short term 'fix' to appease troublemakers comes with a long-term price. Kosovo is an illegitimate 'state', dependent on handouts and slowly becoming less and less multiethnic.

Well done!

Preporučujem 78 Ne preporučujem 17
Biljana

pre 14 godina

For us Serbs this is not surprise a bit.
However, can somebody please send a copy of this report
to Helsinki, right on the Martti Ahtisaari’s address, a fellow peace
dealer (for suitcase full of money) and Nobel peace prize winner.

I am trying to figure out did K-Albanians actually had in mind
minorities when releasing information (for tourists) of Polar bears residing
in Shar Mountains? I mean, according to their judgment, minorities in
Kosovo are as protected as Polar bears, thus must be kept (becuase of its wild nature) in reservates and isolated by barbed wires. It must have been that. We were
just not enough clever to realise what polar bears were symbolizing back then and nowadays.

It seems that MRG did not realise it yet as well, how foolish they must be. But, again,
the representatives of MRG must ask Ahtisaari and K-Albanians for an explanation.

Oh, yes, MRG is actually Serbian DB’s secret organization with the main
goal to destabilise such prosperous paradise in Kosovo, Milosevic’s and RTS propaganda, or even B92 propaganda.

Preporučujem 75 Ne preporučujem 19
Dragan

pre 14 godina

This is called 'ethnic cleansing'.
Of course people are leaving when they have no freedom of movement, no human rights, are afraid to speak their native tongue in public, and need military escorts to go grocery shopping. The fact that barbed wire 'ghettos' still exist in the 21'st century is an absolute shame and disgrace. I hope Biden and his gang of anti-Serb hate mongers are proud of themselves for this genocide they have created in Kosovo. American citizens need to know what is being done in their name. Shame.

Preporučujem 73 Ne preporučujem 16
RS Burns

pre 14 godina

"What a lie!!!!!! If Roma, Ashkali, Egyptians, Turks, Serbs, living in Kosovo have less rights by laws and constitution than the ones living in other region countries (where they are minority) and even EU than they could have some basis to say that these comunities are discriminated. But, everyone knows it is the oposite...."
(Pz, 27 May 2009 11:11)

With respect. This is where the problem lies. You can legislate all you want to appease western countries but that does not prevent discrimination unless it is enforced. Even if it is enforced it does not guarantee that discrimination will not take place.

Words and legislation are one thing - actions and reality is another.

On the basis that the whole issue of Kosovo independence has been sold on a tolerant multi ethnic basis then it should do more that most to ensure it can to live up to its guarantees.

Tell me honestly. If you were a Serb chased out in 2004 would you be comfortable in returning to a normal life? If you were a Serb from Pristina, would you be comfortable returning to a normal life? Until that situation is created then Kosovo has failed.

Tell me honestly. If you were in a minority group in Kosovo, would you feel different? Would you think you had the same opportunity as ethnic Albanians? Do you think Albanians would buy from an Albanian before buying from a Serb if the price was the same?

Preporučujem 71 Ne preporučujem 20
MikeC

pre 14 godina

So much for a free and democratic Kosovo. I guess it only applies to the Albanians. No wonder Serbs in the North don't want to join and recognize Albanian institutions. If they do, they will face a similar faith. Wonder when we Serbs are going to treat the Presevo Albanians the same way?

Preporučujem 64 Ne preporučujem 35
Little Russia

pre 14 godina

"Its no wonder that the Serbs, Roma and Gorani among others living behind barbed wire and guarded 24 hours a day by Kfor troops in their ethnic ghettos want nothing to do with the KLA narco state."

And here is a photo of Kfor convoy, without which Serbs can't leave their ghettos.

http://www.kosovo-rus.narod.ru/photos/04.html

Preporučujem 64 Ne preporučujem 21
Aljosa

pre 14 godina

I don't understand why this is "propaganda", that word seems to be the only response to any criticism the provincial institutions receive. This article by b92 is filled with quotes, is it not? They clearly state the source. If u believe b92 is being biased in their selection of news on Kosovo then thats another thing. However, i think b92 is on an equal footing when reporting on Kosovo developments, considering they're stationed in Belgrade

Can any Albanian send me a link to one Kosovo news article mentioning anything positive about Serbia or Serbs.It just has to be one and sports or eurovision articles don't count.

If the goal is to have a multi-ethnic society, then one important factor is freedom of media. How free is Kosovo's media? The Eu, i dont know if intentional or lack of care but they have done nothing in this regard. Not only in Kosovo but the Bosnian media is contributing to the failure of the Bosnian state. They are deeply segregated.

Preporučujem 64 Ne preporučujem 19
Pz

pre 14 godina

What a lie!!!!!! If Roma, Ashkali, Egyptians, Turks, Serbs, living in Kosovo have less rights by laws and constitution than the ones living in other region countries (where they are minority) and even EU than they could have some basis to say that these comunities are discriminated. But, everyone knows it is the oposite. In December last year I was in Slovakia and visited several locations, i.e. settlements inhabited by Roma community and I simply could not believe what I saw and heared from those people, and to think that Slovakia is a EU country makes it even worse.

Preporučujem 59 Ne preporučujem 63
Pejoni

pre 14 godina

Ppl are fleeing Bulgaria, Romania and Poland let alone Kosovo.

Its not discrimination, its about economy. 10x more Albanians leave then all minorities combined. I would really appriciate if B92 would link for other neighboring countries or did they only stopped in "Kosovo"?

Preporučujem 56 Ne preporučujem 97
RS Burns

pre 14 godina

"They behaviour especially during the 90s are the reason why Serbs are experiencing retribution from the Albanian side.
(Chacha, 27 May 2009, 13:21)"

At least you are truthful. This is exactly what Albanian people (justified or not) think. So there goes your tolerant multi ethnic state.

The promises made in support of independence cannot and will not be kept.

Preporučujem 56 Ne preporučujem 10
ben

pre 14 godina

There must be at least 3 million minorities in Kosova- they are "leaving" Kosova for at least 30 years...

Or perheps an individual decision is sold as collective and process???

Who loves Kosova lives in Kosova!

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MikeC

pre 14 godina

"They behaviour especially during the 90s are the reason why Serbs are experiencing retribution from the Albanian side".
Chacha

At least this albanian is honest enough to admit the master plan is to rid Kosovo of all minorities.

Perhaps now albanians understand why Kosovo must be partitioned and why the North should never allow itself to be a part of the "multicultural Kosovo"?

Preporučujem 50 Ne preporučujem 20
Dragan, Toronto

pre 14 godina

The Albanian dream of a having a monoethnic society in KOSOVO is becoming more and more clearer, despite the weak international calls against it.

Preporučujem 49 Ne preporučujem 9
Mike

pre 14 godina

No need to worry folks, my country refers to Kosovo as a "multiethnic" "democratic" and "functioning state", and anything the US says must be true.

Preporučujem 46 Ne preporučujem 16
dave(UK)

pre 14 godina

Its no suprise really, what is Kosovo really? its nothing more in a protectorate province administered by the EU. The province is divided, the Albanians are still hung up on the war, the province is poor, no real investment from the west because to be frank we dont really care.

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nikshala

pre 14 godina

They should back up their arguments with real facts!

How many have left Kosovo in the last year?

Where have they gone?

Is there a higher percentage of minorities leaving Kosovo than albanians?

Is there more people returning to Kosovo than leaving?

A serious organization should not just make broad statements like that without backing it up with evidence, unless this is just some poor propaganda.

Preporučujem 41 Ne preporučujem 68
nikshala

pre 14 godina

"Tell me honestly. If you were a Serb chased out in 2004 would you be comfortable in returning to a normal life? If you were a Serb from Pristina, would you be comfortable returning to a normal life? Until that situation is created then Kosovo has failed.

Tell me honestly. If you were in a minority group in Kosovo, would you feel different? Would you think you had the same opportunity as ethnic Albanians? Do you think Albanians would buy from an Albanian before buying from a Serb if the price was the same?
(RS Burns, 27 May 2009 12:32) "

RS Burns,

You raise some valid points. The situation of minorities in Kosovo is far from perfect, however a lot has been done in the last ten years, and it is certainly not as bad as some think it is. Most serbs are free to go wherever they want, and their 'enclaves' are not surrounded in barber wire. If you have been to Kosovo recently, you would know that.

I would like to ask you the following questions:

If you were K.albanian that was chased out during '99 or had someone you know killed by serbs, would you be comfortable in returning to a normal life as part of Serbia?

Tell me honestly. If you were an albanian in Serbia, would you feel different? Would you think you had the same opportunity as Serbs? Do you think Serbs would buy from an Albanian before buying from a Serb if the price was the same?

The truth is that all the Balkan countries that went through the 90's wars have a long way to go to achieve acceptable conditions for their minorities. This is understandable considering the brutality of the wars and the scars that they have left.

Preporučujem 40 Ne preporučujem 33
Ventura405

pre 14 godina

This is an example of another failed USA nation-building project. I am disgusted as an American. I hope that Obama, and administrations forward, will not exploit people in other parts of the world for their own geo-political ambitions. As the first poster said, poor people.

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peter, sydney

pre 14 godina

"Its not discrimination, its about economy...
(Pejoni, 27 May 2009 10:53) "

"What a lie!!!!!!...
(Pz, 27 May 2009 11:11) "

"This is the purest lie I have ever come across. Stop the RTS era propaganda B92...
(LOL, 27 May 2009 11:16) "

"They should back up their arguments with real facts!...
(nikshala, 27 May 2009 11:48) "

etc.


Judging by the almost universal state of denial shown by K-albanian's here, is not really surprising that the minority rights supposedly enshrined within their 'constitution' have so little relevance to the actual reality on the ground in Kosovo.

Take your 'blinkers' off people & read the report - for is impossible to rectify a problem if you deny it even exists.

http://www.minorityrights.org/7856/reports/filling-the-vacuum-ensuring-protection-and-legal-remedies-for-minorities-in-kosovo.html


ps: MRG is an NGO under the UN originally organised to combat apartheid & is not a 'serb propaganda'vehicle.

pps: And reports bibliography is quite extensive 'nikshala' - as you would have known if you were really interested in 'the facts' & had bothered to actually read it.

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GSP

pre 14 godina

This entire "independence" claim from the snake & his cronies is such a bunch of malarchy.

These people don't know what they want - to be "kosovars", albanians, or Serbian citizens by way of passport.

All the former kosovars are being arrested, deported or held on trafficking charges....what gives? Then you have Biden visiting & cheering on their independence....the blind leading the blind.

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LOL

pre 14 godina

This is the purest lie I have ever come across. Stop the RTS era propaganda B92. The only minorety that doesn't wan't to be part of Kosovo state is the Serbs and Gorani(Serbs) all other are part of Kosovo. They are in the police forece, KSF, and parliament. They get a lot more in our constitution then they would ever get in Serbia or even ever got from Serbia during Yugo time.

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A

pre 14 godina

The smaller minorities? Who are the larger minorities?

I agree that some minorities are discriminated but I know that Serbs are not one of those. Serbs are the most privileged ethnic group in Kosovo and has the highest living standards according to several reports by UNDP.

Minorities that are being discriminated and I am ashamed by, this are Roma and Turks.

The international community has failed because in their head minorities in Kosovo is a synonym for Serbs, and the other minorities are never mentioned, even though those have shown greater interest to integrate than the Serbs.

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Milan

pre 14 godina

"This is a area near Mitrovice where Kosovo goverment has no power as Serbs have their own parallel jurisdiction system. "

Where is Roma district Mahala in Mitrovica - in northern or southern part of city? Where escaped Roma from Mahala - to serbian side or mayby to albanian side? Where are Roma refugee camps - in North or in South?

Dont' be hypocrite - Roma escaped from ALBANIAN part of Mitrovica.

Preporučujem 32 Ne preporučujem 0
Steve J.P.

pre 14 godina

Of course minorities are leaving Kosovo; that was part of the plan from the beginning from Kosovo's functioning ethnic Albanian government. Pretend to the USA and NATO Europe that Kosovo is for everyone; then after the USA and NATO Europe puts the current government in power through a bloody, horrible war that government allows life to continue to be a living hell for the minorities, then puts the blame squarely on the economy when the fact is the KLA whipped up mass frenzy hysteria against Kosovo's minorities and their Christian religion. Is the current functioning government of Kosovo going to do a re-education campaign for Kosovo society to accept or at least tolerate Kosovo's minorities and their religion? Of course not.

Preporučujem 31 Ne preporučujem 2
Peggy

pre 14 godina

"I'm not in Kosova, I don't know what the conditions are, but when minorities complain about lack of access tertiary education in their own languages you have to wonder where in the world there is university-level education in Ashkali, Egyptian, Roma, etc. (Not in the US, I can assure you.) "

Amer @32, this is exactly what Albanians had but they still rioted and schemed until they provoked a war there. Albanians had education in their own language and this was not enough. So, now you are saying that in the US you can't have that but when you had it in Yugoslavia you didn't think it was enough.

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Tymi

pre 14 godina

I agree with Pejoni. The "discrimination" phenomenon is not new in the region. I condemn any political pressure against any minority. What I am wondering about the report is that the main claim is that these minorities are not getting access or do not have at all education system offered in their language. I do not know if in Kosovo Egyptian, Ashkali or other languages exist. I know only Serbian and Albanian and probably some Turks.

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Patriota

pre 14 godina

Cry me a river!!! If they want to leave let them do it. Life is hard, but not only in Kosovo. What do these minorities want?? More rights than the majority?? Maybe they want to be able to be in charge of 2 million Albanians so that thye can beat them?? Those days are gone.

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Pz

pre 14 godina

(RS Burns, 27 May 2009 12:32)”

Now, my question is, do these Serbs really want to return? If the answer is yes, then there is nothing to stop them, I emphasize, nothing at all, especially now after the declaration of independence. Kosovo authorities would do anything possible to help everyone return because that way they would send a signal to the remaining world countries that haven’t recognized Kosovo, that an Independent Kosovo is the right solution.

I know Serbs enjoy more rights by laws than every other community living in Kosovo, including Albanians, now it is something else that they don’t want to get benefit of them. The Ahtisary Plan gives rights to Serbs living in Kosovo far more than they could ever get them even if they were to live in Serbia proper.
Kosovo’s parliament has 120 seats, 10 are reserved only for Serbs, no matter if they choose to participate in elections. Every institution, budgetary agencies, even international organizations have some percentage of reserved jobs for Serbs and other communities. Serbs (not all though) even 10 years after the war still drive their cars without KS registration plates (these plates were issued by UNMIK, under 1244) and they don’t get tickets. For 10 years they were not paying for any utilities (electricity, water, property taxes, etc). There are local radio and TV stations in every minority languages (out of around 130 more than 30 are owned by minorities) and there is a special fund established by the Government to support them. University and high schools have reserved places for communities’ students and they can enroll without any criteria, all it takes is their desire, etc etc, and yet again some say these communities are leaving Kosovo because they are being discriminated.

In every society, even in the most advanced ones there is some kind of discrimination you refer to and minorities somehow feel a bit different. So to my understanding, if these things are well regulated by laws then it is up to every minority community to decide how much they want to be part of that bigger society and benefit.

So, to cut the long story short, communities in Kosovo were ‘positively discriminated’ for too long, and now they are having problems in overall inclusion processes.

Thank you nik shala for adding some points to my post ;).

Please read these definitions of discrimination and be honest and tell me if Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, Serbs, Turks, are really being discriminated, as per it definition, in Kosovo.

“Discrimination generally means doing something in favour of, or against a person. This involves making a distinction between one person and another and treating him or her differently. Anti-discrimination law adopts a formulation of discrimination as being, not only different treatment, but also less favourable treatment.
Less favourable treatment indicates a sense of comparison between two people where one person is treated less favourably than another person. Discrimination is seen as being against one person,[5] namely the one who has been treated in an unfair or unequal manner. In many situations this less favourable treatment will be unlawful under anti-discrimination law.
Discrimination can be direct or indirect. Direct discrimination requires a comparison to be made between the treatment of the person discriminated against and a different real or hypothetical person.[6] Indirect discrimination involves treatment which appears to be neutral or fair but which has the effect of disadvantaging a particular group.
Direct discrimination tends to focus on a disadvantage suffered by one person, the notion of indirect discrimination centres more on group based disadvantage.[7] However, this does not mean that direct discrimination happens only to individuals or that indirect discrimination happens only to groups.[8]
The making of a comparison between two groups involves an assumption that two groups or sorts of people can be compared and that they should be treated equally.[9] This is not always possible as there are occasions when such a comparison is unhelpful or inappropriate, such as trying to compare pregnant women to men.”

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MarKo

pre 14 godina

On writing this there are 40 comments and none of them answer BGannon's question yet presumably the pro separatist crowd is voting against his comment. It is easy to vote against something, its hard to come up with your own ideas.


Bgannon, I agree with most of your comments except that Pristina and the internationals are not the only ones to blame. I blame the permissive divided and weak authorities and politicians in Belgrade as they are not providing material support for these people or even moral support; what would be wrong with pressuring the EU on this? Why wasn't Biden asked about this in front of a Camera last week?

Preporučujem 26 Ne preporučujem 2
Olf

pre 14 godina

It is called movement of people. Economic situation in Kosova is not one of the best in the Europe.
Poor Pols are leaving Britain, Brits are moving out of NZ and Aus, Serbs are moving out of Serbia and so on ...

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peter, sydney

pre 14 godina

"See part of the report:
...
Not even a single sentence talks about the Albanians in Kosovo terrorising or mistreating the minorities, or the Serb for that matter.
Clearly Kosovo has gone a long way ! Let's ingurage a democratic and free Kosovo for all the communities.
(Ilir, 27 May 2009 18:28) "


Perhaps you didn't read this bit:
"This is of serious concern to minorities, given the history of state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999, and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004, much of which remains to be prosecuted. "

Or this:
"And yet, by the end of 2005, not a single domestic war crimes case had been filed in which the victims were non-Albanians, despite crimes against Ashkali, Roma, Serb and other communities. "

And which continues with this:
"The general failure of the Kosovo justice system to effectively prosecute war crimes, other criminal cases and ethnically motivated violence has also been widely reported. "

And with this:
"The result is that minorities are reluctant to report instances of discrimination or crimes against them due to fear of harassment, and experience of authorities collaborating, or at the very least not prosecuting crimes committed against them. This mistrust and lack of confidence in domestic law enforcement institutions among minority groups leads to ongoing fears for their security, and a lack of willingness to return among internally displaced persons. "


That's the problem with only 'seeing a part of the report'.

Take the blinkers off 'Ilir'.

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Niall O'Doherty

pre 14 godina

Since we are 90% kosovar albania we dont need any minorities in Kosova.
(made in kosova, 27 May 2009 19:06)

Yeah you're right. Who needs minorities. Those damn pesky Serbs, Roma, Gorani, Bosniaks etc. Get rid of them. Hey! over 250,000 plus have been ethnically cleansed from their homes since 1999. Good job guys, well done, keep at it. Whoop it up for "freedom" and "democracy"

I tell you what, while we are at it, Serbia should extend a big send off for the million plus non Serbs living in the rest of Serbia. Send those upstart Magyars back to Hungary. Give them 2 sandwiches each. 1 sandwich each to the Czechs and Slovaks. Gives the Slovenes and Croats a shot of rakia and load them on the buses to Ljubljana and Zagreb respectively. Same for the Bosniaks, Albanians and Bulgars. Send the Roma back to India on all all expenses, paid first class one way flight. Give them all a good send off including my old neighbour Mr Goldberg.

Preporučujem 24 Ne preporučujem 1
Denis

pre 14 godina

Perhaps now albanians understand why Kosovo must be partitioned and why the North should never allow itself to be a part of the "multicultural Kosovo"?
(MikeC, 27 May 2009 15:12)

Amen to that. Take the north and move on. I am all for it, but I am sure most of the albanians would claim Presevo if they give you Mitrovica.

Not me though, take Mitrovica above Ibar, or maybe a population exchange if you prefer,
and allow us to build a wall so no serbs come south and no albanians go north.

This will keep the conflict away from Kosovo and Serbia, and contribute in economic development. We can't live together in peace, so let's split up for a while.

Preporučujem 23 Ne preporučujem 10
iseult henry

pre 14 godina

The Serbs have been forced off their lands since the Turks first occupied Stari Serbia in the 15 century. However, the greatest cleansing of the Serbs and other communities happened since 1999, under the watchful eye of Nato and supported by the west. This was the plan - rid the territory of Serbs and everything will be much easier to manage. Fait accompli - everything went to plan. Now 10 years later comes this report stating that "minorities" are leaving Kosovo. A case of too litle too late.

Preporučujem 21 Ne preporučujem 3
Chacha

pre 14 godina

According the Artisaari-Plan, minorities should gain a lot of power, unprecedented in the world. "Unfortuntely", the Serbian side rejected it. Now we see the direct result. I wouldn't like either to live in a neighborhood in which people are not happy about the measure of my home country, so blame the Serbian government as well as the Serbian extremists that there was no solution. They behaviour especially during the 90s are the reason why Serbs are experiencing retribution from the Albanian side.

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Rod

pre 14 godina

"So, to cut the long story short, communities in Kosovo were ‘positively discriminated’ for too long, and now they are having problems in overall inclusion processes."

Fully agree with you Pz,UNMIK has spoiled them a lot.

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timotimekvej

pre 14 godina

Olf, you can ask any serb on Kosovo&Metohija and he will answer you that he is leaving because albanian repression that lasted for whole decade (1998-2009). Albanians were also leaving Kosovo&Metohija in 1999 when they were brutally bombed by their friendly NATO allies. And answer me do you consider yourself as an objective and neutral commentator?

Preporučujem 20 Ne preporučujem 6
John

pre 14 godina

What a complete waste of time to compile such report. Everyone knows that is the "economy stupid". Open the doors and every living thing in Kosovo will get out. Why would anyone live in a place where there are no paying jobs, no running water and electricity. School system is the wors probably in the whole europe. People regardles of their ethnicity are looking to get and migrate to better places. This is the sad reality and Thaqi and Sejdiu better wake up and start working to benefit the lives of the Kosovo citizens.

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Ilir

pre 14 godina

See part of the report:

"In this latest report, MRG says the lack of certainty over the status of the territory as a result of Serbia’s objection to Kosovo’s independence has limited the practical application of international human rights law.

“There is a danger that the new international organisations operating in Kosovo will compound the failure of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo to ensure a tolerant, multi-ethnic society,” says Lattimer.

MRG warns that unless this trend is reversed, it will see the steady migration of minority groups who have lived in Kosovo for hundreds of years, such as Bosniaks and Turks, and who have other states to migrate to."

Serbia failure to recognise Kosovo as an indepedent country is the only reason why a few Serb are leaving Kosovo.
The international community need to do more to support Kosovo economy and to work closely with the Roma and Bosniaks minorities.

A bit more about the report:
"A decade after the conflict people from minority communities still languish in displaced camps in dire conditions near Mitrovica. For Ashkali, Egyptian and Roma, who have no other countries to escape to, these trends are likely to lead to engrained poverty and further marginalization for generations to come, the report says."

This is a area near Mitrovice where Kosovo goverment has no power as Serbs have their own parallel jurisdiction system.
Yes it's clear that Kosovo needs to do more and every one understand the challenges.
However the situation is a far cry from Kosovo before the indepedence, and no comparison to Kosovo under Serbia Milosevic regime.

And to top it all :

"The report says that the process of EU accession has the potential to bring about improvement in Kosovo. It calls on the EU to broaden and improve the attention it gives to the issues faced by smaller minorities in the country and also to the issue of multiple discrimination of minority women."
I couldn't possibly argue with that.

Not even a single sentence talks about the Albanians in Kosovo terrorising or mistreating the minorities, or the Serb for that matter.
Clearly Kosovo has gone a long way ! Let's ingurage a democratic and free Kosovo for all the communities.

Preporučujem 18 Ne preporučujem 31
Daveo Dinkum

pre 14 godina

Poor Pols are leaving Britain, Brits are moving out of NZ and Aus, Serbs are moving out of Serbia and so on ...
(Olf, 27 May 2009 13:40)

Can you please provide your reference for Brits leaving Australia & NZ. In fact Brits are migrating here as much as they ever have.

I believe that's a poor comparison. Comparing a province well known for restriction of basic human rights and a poor economy to multicultural nations with a strong economy (even in these tough times)

Preporučujem 18 Ne preporučujem 1
Pro-Serbia

pre 14 godina

Hmmm.. is this the pledge of Mr. Hashim Thaci that they so called protect the minorities ??? I guessed the snake lied to the world…

WAKE UP NATO / WEST AND SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

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Serbian diaspora

pre 14 godina

No-one should be surprised that Serbs are leaving Kosovo and Metohija, least of all Biden and Obama. Amercian foreign policy should be ashamed of of its corruption, greed. Shame, Shame, Shame.

Preporučujem 18 Ne preporučujem 3
Little Russia

pre 14 godina

The facts are much more appalling. Albanians use intimidation tactic to keep Serbs in their ghettos, where they live, work etc. I’ve seen a piece of reporting about a Serb, who left his enclave alone and without Kfor convoy. In several days a luxurious Jeep arrived to his enclave and a plastic bag with a dismembered body of that Serb was thrown down from it. It was a clear message. People got the idea and there were no volunteers any more to freely have a walk along Kosovo. For Albanians it’s enough from time to time to make Serbs "know their place". During the celebration of a so-called “independence” of Kosovo this year a Kosovan flag was hung out on the altar of the Orthodox Church of Sts Peter and Paul in the village of Brod, in Drajkovc. In Gniljan, Albanians fired at a group of Serbs. A 24 year old Serb Vasco Arsic was wounded and hospitalized. NOBODY was hold liable for that. Albanians can bear guns and fire WITH IMPUNITY. Kosovan police deliberately doesn’t protect Serbs. About what language or cultural rights are you talking? The things are much more horrible!

Some cynical posters over here asked, why all Serbs haven’t left Kosovo (what a pity, eh?), if their life is so dire. Let’s recall Srpska Krajna - many Serbs there stayed till the last moment (unfortunately for them), especially those who had nowhere to go. It’s a peculiarity of human psychology – habit and desperation dull sense of insecurity.

Preporučujem 17 Ne preporučujem 1
Little Russia

pre 14 godina

@TITO
"This tragedy has gone for long enough and has to stop. I agree fully with "Denis" comments, we have to separate from Albanians and do the population exchange."

It would have terrible consequences. First of all, I read that Albanians in the Southern Serbia (which is north to Northern Mitrovica) told: “if N.Mitrovica “separate” from Kosovo, why we can’t do the same and join Kosovo. The worst solution is to yield to terrorist’s claims. Let me mention Chechnya in this case. After it had become de facto independent (absolutely out of Russian control), Basaev and Hattab in 1999 intruded into PROPER Russian territory – Dagestan. The conclusions, which must be drawn, are the following – the cancer must be ablated. The core of all problems is a KLA regime. It's not the fault of ordinary Albanians. If people are told, that they can kill and rob – they kill and rob and vice versa. I know what you think: “It’s not real”, “What about Bondsteel camp?” etc. Theoretically it’s real, since it’s not about a large-scale military operation, but more likely is a job for intelligence services. The whole problem is that there isn’t a “political will” to do that for the part of those, who must take active actions in this direction. But so far what must be done (to my point of view) is the following: to strengthen (reaffirm) Serbian sovereignty by means of international law and to take steps (let it be small steps) towards reintegration. Maybe I’m wrong, but I liked that idea with handing over passports…

Entire Kosovo is Serbia.

Preporučujem 17 Ne preporučujem 1
Milan

pre 14 godina

"Milan it's not me the "hypocrite", the report says so. Roma refugees lives in the nothern part of Mitrovica in an area which Kosovo goverment has no access for the last 10 years. "

@illir.

illir - I asked about situation of Roma in southern (Albanian) part of Mitrovica. Did You see Roma district Mahala? Why Roma peoples fled from Mahala to northern (Serbian) part of Mitrovica or to Serbia?

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TITO

pre 14 godina

This tragedy has gone for long enough and has to stop. I agree fully with "Denis" comments, we have to separate from Albanians and do the population exchange. There is no other way to live peacefully as we dont want to live in the same state and be oppressed. So, lets agree on separation, draw the border and build the wall. But please do not come to Serbia after that, asking for jobs!

Preporučujem 15 Ne preporučujem 4
Little Russia

pre 14 godina

"Milan it's not me the "hypocrite", the report says so. Roma refugees lives in the nothern part of Mitrovica in an area which Kosovo goverment has no access for the last 10 years. "

@illir.
You heard something "bad" about Northern Mitrovica, but don't remember what exactly. I will help you. Here is the full story. It's another accusation in address to KLA.

While Nato troops arrived to Kosovo – for “humanitarian intervention” – on June 1999 their Kosovo Albanian allies started their revenge not only against Serbs but also against the Roma which the Albanians accused of collaborating with Serbs. The largest Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians (RAE) community was in south Mitrovica. They were FORCED TO MOVE over Ibar river to Serb dominated north Mitrovica.

Under international administration those displaced families were placed in camps located heavily POLLUTED mining and smelter complex. The international administration know that camps were in dangerously toxic environment, the experts and non-governmental organizations demanded immediate evacuation for Roma families, however after nearly ten years – in post-war Kosovo, 200 km from the European Union’s borders – these families still are trapped in camps slowly dying from lead poisoning.

http://arirusila.wordpress.com/?s=toxic+lead+Roma

Preporučujem 14 Ne preporučujem 1
Kosovo-UK

pre 14 godina

To all Kosovo supporters claiming propoganda please read the following:
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200905270556dowjonesdjonline000476&title=excludedminorities-leaving-kosovo-rights-group

This so called piece of propoganada was written by a London (UK - so called Kosovo ally, not likely to sabotage their own pet project) based group.

This article is not so much about returning as it is about mass exodous of minorities. When local economies are stumbling, it is a hard sell to claim all these people leaving are leaving because of tough financial times. They'll have just as much trouble or more trying to find work in another country.

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RS Burns

pre 14 godina

"and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004"

The violence in 2004 was painful and a clear indications how far Kosovo has gone from those dark moments. Today it's unthinkable those violences returning in Kosovo."

Think of how far Serbia has gone since 1999. Totally dedicated to peaceful resolution of the Kosovo issue. Talk to them, compromise and achieve lasting peace.

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Amer

pre 14 godina

I'm not in Kosova, I don't know what the conditions are, but when minorities complain about lack of access tertiary education in their own languages you have to wonder where in the world there is university-level education in Ashkali, Egyptian, Roma, etc. (Not in the US, I can assure you.)

Getting permission to live in most better-off countries depends on being persecuted rather than poor, so of course people claim this. Roma were travelling to London by the planeload from the Czech Republic when I lived there, all claiming to be refugees from persecution. It got to the point that Britain set up checkpoints at the Prague airport to prevent them from even getting on the plane.

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prizreni

pre 14 godina

This is not because they don't have rights and they are leaving Kosovo. It's because of the economy situation, even few albanians if they would have a chance to leave they would do it. But sure for serbian people this news is different meaning , they are leaving because they don't have rights.

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alban

pre 14 godina

Serbia's dumbest move (and they have made quite a few!) was to try to keep Kosova as poor as possible and tensions as high as possible: "Narco state," "Serbs live in Concentration camps," "Boycott the temporary instituions" etc

What happened? Kosova still declared independence but unfortunately many minorities, especially Serbs, left for Serbia in search of a better life. More will leave once Serbia gets the Schengen deal as well. This of course hurts our efforts to make the state a multi-ethnic success, but it's on Serbia's hands.

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Peggy

pre 14 godina

Albanians were a majority in Kosovo, of course they should have had university-level education in their language. Here in the US, all public education is either in English or in special classes to prepare students for eventual work in English. The idea is to prepare students for life in America, not to perpetuate foreign cultures. (They do this in Europe, and I'm not sure it's such a good idea.)

BTW, as an American, I never received any of my education in Yugoslavia.
(Amer, 28 May 2009 05:22)

Amer, so do you also have Universities in Spanish to cater for areas which are overwhelmingly Hispanic?

My point was that Albanians had everything in Albanian and they still rioted and were not satisfied. WHY?

Do you think that Hispanics should riot now and demand that everything is in Spanish because they are a majority in some areas?

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Milan

pre 14 godina

New York Times - 1 Nov. 1987 (two Years BEFORE Milosevic reduced Kosovo autonomy):

"The current hostilities pit separatist-minded ethnic Albanians against the various Slavic populations of Yugoslavia and occur at all levels of society, from the highest officials to the humblest peasants.

A young Army conscript of ethnic Albanian origin shot up his barracks, killing four sleeping Slavic bunkmates and wounding six others."

"Ethnic Albanians in the Government have manipulated public funds and regulations to take over land belonging to Serbs. And politicians have exchanged vicious insults.

Slavic Orthodox churches have been attacked, and flags have been torn down. Wells have been poisoned and crops burned. Slavic boys have been knifed, and some young ethnic Albanians have been told by their elders to rape Serbian girls."

"The goal of the radical nationalists among them, one said in an interview, is an ''ethnic Albania that includes western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, part of southern Serbia, Kosovo and Albania itself.'' That includes large chunks of the republics that make up the southern half of Yugoslavia."

" Last summer, the authorities in Kosovo said they documented 40 ethnic Albanian attacks on Slavs in two months. In the last two years, 320 ethnic Albanians have been sentenced for political crimes, nearly half of them characterized as severe. "

"In one incident, Fadil Hoxha, once the leading politician of ethnic Albanian origin in Yugoslavia, joked at an official dinner in Prizren last year that Serbian women should be used to satisfy potential ethnic Albanian rapists. After his quip was reported this October, Serbian women in Kosovo protested, and Mr. Hoxha was dismissed from the Communist Party. "

" Ethnic Albanians already control almost every phase of life in the autonomous province of Kosovo, including the police, judiciary, civil service, schools and factories. Non-Albanian visitors almost immediately feel the independence - and suspicion - of the ethnic Albanian authorities. "

"While 200,000 Serbs and Montenegrins still live in the province, they are scattered and lack cohesion. In the last seven years, 20,000 of them have fled the province, often leaving behind farmsteads and houses, for the safety of the Slavic north. "

This is not Milosevic propaganda. This is PRE-MILOSEVIC, american NEW YORK TIMES analyse of situation in Kosovo.

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lili

pre 14 godina

rtkonline gives every day programs in serbian,turkish,bosnian and roma language.futhermore you have serbian radio and minorities radiofinaced by the eu in every region,and of course you have the serbian program from belgrade,as you always had in kosovo...
So why is this guy saying that ?Push for a new conflit?

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alban

pre 14 godina

Everybody: rad their full report! Apparently they want new munis for Bosniaks, Roma, etc etc and make everyone official languages. It's insane, I would love to see what they say about Serbia. All their stats are based on "he estimated"

They also want to remove enclaves so be careful :-)

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Ilir

pre 14 godina

peter, sydney, 28 May 2009 09:56 writes:

Perhaps you didn't read this bit:
"This is of serious concern to minorities, given the history of state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999, and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004, much of which remains to be prosecuted. "

"state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999"
Peter this is a reference to ethnic cleansing by the Serb army/police, against the Albanian minorities at the time.

"and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004"

The violence in 2004 was painful and a clear indications how far Kosovo has gone from those dark moments. Today it's unthinkable those violences returning in Kosovo.

Or this:
"And yet, by the end of 2005, not a single domestic war crimes case had been filed in which the victims were non-Albanians, despite crimes against Ashkali, Roma, Serb and other communities. "

Before and during 2005 it was the UNMIK job to investigate and bring to justice anyone accused for war crimes.


"The general failure of the Kosovo justice system to effectively prosecute war crimes, other criminal cases and ethnically motivated violence has also been widely reported. "

Again there are no cases put forward from the Serb or other communities for the Kosovo juridictions to investigate. Also Kosovo justice system can't persecute the Serb throwing petrol bomb and stones against the rebuilding of the houses in nothern part of Mitrovica.

And with this:
"The result is that minorities are reluctant to report instances of discrimination or crimes against them due to fear of harassment, and experience of authorities collaborating, or at the very least not prosecuting crimes committed against them. This mistrust and lack of confidence in domestic law enforcement institutions among minority groups leads to ongoing fears for their security, and a lack of willingness to return among internally displaced persons. "

I accept these critics as fair, and Kosovo goverment needs to do more to encourage the minorities joining the police and the justice system. It whould help a lot if Serbia would stop trying to undermine Kosovo indepedence and encouraging the Serb in Kosovo to be part of Kosovo police/justice system.


That's the problem with only 'seeing a part of the report'.

Again i will have to emphasise that this report is not perfect. Clearly more need to be done if Kosovo wants to join EU or to have the western standarts.

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peter, sydney

pre 14 godina

Ilir:
From the report:
""This is of serious concern to minorities, given the history of state-sponsored

violence against minorities in 1999, and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004, much of

which remains to be prosecuted. "

'Ilir' wrote:
> "state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999"
Peter this is a reference to ethnic cleansing by the Serb army/police, against the

Albanian minorities at the time

Actually 'Ilir', MRG are talking about the actions of the K-albanians immediately

following the civil war, when they found themselves in control of Kosovo with the

serbs & others at their 'mercy' such as the hundred's of civilian minorities that

were kidnapped & murdered afterwards ...

... as is obvious from this paragraph from the report:
"The failure to prosecute past grave human rights abuses against minority groups in

both 1999 and 2004, combined with limited minority representation in Kosovo’s police,

security forces and judiciary are further impediments to the effective enforcement of

minority rights in Kosovo. "

Which isn't really surprising since this is a report dealing with minorities in

Kosovo & whatever else they are, K-albanians are not a minority in Kosovo.


'Ilir' also wrote:
"The violence in 2004 was painful and a clear indications how far Kosovo has gone

from those dark moments. Today it's unthinkable those violences returning in Kosovo.

"

When hardly any of those who committed criminal acts in the 2004 riots (in which some

50,000 K-albanians participated) have been arrested, let alone convicted for their

crimes, I fail to see what makes you think it cannot happen again.

No punishment - no consequences - no disincentive.


'Ilir' also wrote:
"Before and during 2005 it was the UNMIK job to investigate and bring to justice

anyone accused for war crimes. "

While it was UNMIK's (& is now EULEX's) responsibility to oversee these aspects, they

cannot operate in a vacumn.

And Where there is no will on behalf of the general populace, nor on those leading

them, nor on those who are supposed to be policing them, to redress the

discrimination against all the minorities, there can be no progress in this arena.

To lay all the blame on UNMIK is a cop-out.


And wrote:
"Again there are no cases put forward from the Serb or other communities for the

Kosovo juridictions to investigate. "

Crap.


And wrote:
"It whould help a lot if Serbia would stop trying to undermine Kosovo indepedence and

encouraging the Serb in Kosovo to be part of Kosovo police/justice system. "

The 'serbs in Kosovo' were never asked if they wanted to be part of a so-called

independent 'republic of Kosovo'- they still consider themselves to be part of

Serbia.

And while they do, it is Serbia's responsibility to help them - by blocking

recognition, by setting up parallel institutions, & by material support (in which

'belgrade' needs to do a lot more).

To expect otherwise is naive.


Finally, you said:
"Again i will have to emphasise that this report is not perfect. Clearly more need to

be done if Kosovo wants to join EU or to have the western standarts. "

The report is actually fairly comprehensive, but I doubt if you read all of it as is

obvious from the above.

For instance one of the critiques is that the minorities played no part in the

drafting of those aspects of the 'pseudo-state's new constitution that deal with them

- even to the extent of consultation, let alone formulation.

What hope then that 'those aspects' will actually address their concerns.

Let alone that 'those aspects' will ever be implemented & acted upon.

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TITO

pre 14 godina

Little Russia,
Yes, I like the way you think mate but me personally have lost all patience and respect for justice. Only might is right and I am afraid we are not Russia. I hope that we have the strengt to embark on a long road you speak off. And may we win whichever one we choose!

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Amer

pre 14 godina

"Albanians had education in their own language and this was not enough. So, now you are saying that in the US you can't have that but when you had it in Yugoslavia you didn't think it was enough."

Albanians were a majority in Kosovo, of course they should have had university-level education in their language. Here in the US, all public education is either in English or in special classes to prepare students for eventual work in English. The idea is to prepare students for life in America, not to perpetuate foreign cultures. (They do this in Europe, and I'm not sure it's such a good idea.)

BTW, as an American, I never received any of my education in Yugoslavia.

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Ilir

pre 14 godina

Where is Roma district Mahala in Mitrovica - in northern or southern part of city? Where escaped Roma from Mahala - to serbian side or mayby to albanian side? Where are Roma refugee camps - in North or in South?

Dont' be hypocrite - Roma escaped from ALBANIAN part of Mitrovica.
(Milan, 27 May 2009 23:55)

Milan it's not me the "hypocrite", the report says so. Roma refugees lives in the nothern part of Mitrovica in an area which Kosovo goverment has no access for the last 10 years.
The report concetrate in nothern part of Mitrovica (controlled by Serbs parallel juridictions) and there are no mention of other part of Kosovo where Serb and other minorities lives.Also there is no criticism of the way Kosovo goverment is dealt with orthodox churhes in Kosovo.
As an Albanian i welcome the report and it's what we been saying for years now. An indepedent Kosovo and a Kosovo in EU is the best solution to the economic crisis, and to guarantee the minorities rights.

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LMN II, USA

pre 14 godina

This is the purest lie I have ever come across. Stop the RTS era propaganda B92.


What? This supposed propaganda isnt from RTS or B92. If you have a problem with this report you need to contact MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, a LONDON based group. Hopefully, in time, the rest of the West will start seeing the ethnic Skanderbegs for who they really are and give up on this dream of a "multi-ethnic" KosovO and see it for what it really is, the beginnings of a failed state run by war criminals and gangsters.

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Little Russia

pre 14 godina

@TITO

Intelligence/military operations, which I was talking about, is a Russian holy DUTY to Serbia and my post above was a direct reproach to the Russian government for their focusing on diplomatic and political approach towards Kosovo issue, though we both know that there are other much more effective ways of solving this problem.
It is our Russian guilt that Serbia is now suffering its "Kosovo tragedy". The lack of our help in 1999 was unforgivable and crucial.
We know it and remember it. It's Russian shame and sin forever! What must be done for the part of Russia is to expiate its guilt to Serbia as soon as possible, but not to just maintain this strange status-quo. And, yes, you are right - let us win!

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Amer

pre 14 godina

'This is not Milosevic propaganda. This is PRE-MILOSEVIC, american NEW YORK TIMES analyse of situation in Kosovo [1987].'

With 10 years the Yugoslav government couldn't turn this situation around? Why does the Serb government think it could do any better today?

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AdamNY

pre 14 godina

I find it interesting that the report cannot seem to manage to point out or highlight concrete examples of any of the kinds of the discrimination it claims.

And in fact, the biggest claims come directly as PROPAGANDA as the report embarrassingly enough quotes directly from State Secretary in the SERBIAN "Ministry for Kosovo" Oliver Ivanovic .... a foreign govt. official that NO ONE IN KOSOVO voted for...even kosovo serbs themselves and who is in fact one of the people chided for interfering with and encourging kosovo serbs to stir up trouble and NOT to co-operate with their govt.

it seems this report was sat on too long and might have been at least more plausable 5 or 6 years ago.

if this is the best they can come with it kosovo's minority is the envy of minority groups everywhere in the balkans.

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Pejoni

pre 14 godina

Ppl are fleeing Bulgaria, Romania and Poland let alone Kosovo.

Its not discrimination, its about economy. 10x more Albanians leave then all minorities combined. I would really appriciate if B92 would link for other neighboring countries or did they only stopped in "Kosovo"?

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ben

pre 14 godina

There must be at least 3 million minorities in Kosova- they are "leaving" Kosova for at least 30 years...

Or perheps an individual decision is sold as collective and process???

Who loves Kosova lives in Kosova!

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LOL

pre 14 godina

This is the purest lie I have ever come across. Stop the RTS era propaganda B92. The only minorety that doesn't wan't to be part of Kosovo state is the Serbs and Gorani(Serbs) all other are part of Kosovo. They are in the police forece, KSF, and parliament. They get a lot more in our constitution then they would ever get in Serbia or even ever got from Serbia during Yugo time.

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Patriota

pre 14 godina

Cry me a river!!! If they want to leave let them do it. Life is hard, but not only in Kosovo. What do these minorities want?? More rights than the majority?? Maybe they want to be able to be in charge of 2 million Albanians so that thye can beat them?? Those days are gone.

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nikshala

pre 14 godina

They should back up their arguments with real facts!

How many have left Kosovo in the last year?

Where have they gone?

Is there a higher percentage of minorities leaving Kosovo than albanians?

Is there more people returning to Kosovo than leaving?

A serious organization should not just make broad statements like that without backing it up with evidence, unless this is just some poor propaganda.

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Olf

pre 14 godina

It is called movement of people. Economic situation in Kosova is not one of the best in the Europe.
Poor Pols are leaving Britain, Brits are moving out of NZ and Aus, Serbs are moving out of Serbia and so on ...

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Chacha

pre 14 godina

According the Artisaari-Plan, minorities should gain a lot of power, unprecedented in the world. "Unfortuntely", the Serbian side rejected it. Now we see the direct result. I wouldn't like either to live in a neighborhood in which people are not happy about the measure of my home country, so blame the Serbian government as well as the Serbian extremists that there was no solution. They behaviour especially during the 90s are the reason why Serbs are experiencing retribution from the Albanian side.

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Pz

pre 14 godina

What a lie!!!!!! If Roma, Ashkali, Egyptians, Turks, Serbs, living in Kosovo have less rights by laws and constitution than the ones living in other region countries (where they are minority) and even EU than they could have some basis to say that these comunities are discriminated. But, everyone knows it is the oposite. In December last year I was in Slovakia and visited several locations, i.e. settlements inhabited by Roma community and I simply could not believe what I saw and heared from those people, and to think that Slovakia is a EU country makes it even worse.

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A

pre 14 godina

The smaller minorities? Who are the larger minorities?

I agree that some minorities are discriminated but I know that Serbs are not one of those. Serbs are the most privileged ethnic group in Kosovo and has the highest living standards according to several reports by UNDP.

Minorities that are being discriminated and I am ashamed by, this are Roma and Turks.

The international community has failed because in their head minorities in Kosovo is a synonym for Serbs, and the other minorities are never mentioned, even though those have shown greater interest to integrate than the Serbs.

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Niall O'Doherty

pre 14 godina

Not hardly surprising. The irridentist Albanian project being played out in the province of Kosmet is starting to show its true face; hyper nationalistic, crypto-fascist agenda that is intolerant of other views and nationalities.

I'm sure the ICJ will be made aware of the so called "democracy" flowering in Kosovo and the "best protected ethnic minorities in the world" guff that is constantly spouted by the Albanians here.

Its no wonder that the Serbs, Roma and Gorani among others living behind barbed wire and guarded 24 hours a day by Kfor troops in their ethnic ghettos want nothing to do with the KLA narco state.

The US/NATOs pet project seems to be moving along just nicely for now, but just like every junkyard dog that they backed, this one, in time (like Saddam Hussein & Islamic fundementalists) will bite them.

The West in time shall reap a terrible harvest.

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alban

pre 14 godina

Serbia's dumbest move (and they have made quite a few!) was to try to keep Kosova as poor as possible and tensions as high as possible: "Narco state," "Serbs live in Concentration camps," "Boycott the temporary instituions" etc

What happened? Kosova still declared independence but unfortunately many minorities, especially Serbs, left for Serbia in search of a better life. More will leave once Serbia gets the Schengen deal as well. This of course hurts our efforts to make the state a multi-ethnic success, but it's on Serbia's hands.

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bganon

pre 14 godina

Now this bears out the suspicions of Serbs and of those that were led to believe that NATO went to war on Kosovo in the name of a multicultural society. Clearly this is failing.

But its the governing authorities in Kosovo that bare primary responsibility. That means the internationals who govern.

To moderate Albanians who say its time for internationals to go home, I ask do you think that minorities will return once the internationals have gone, or do you suspect that more will leave? If anybody wants to answer this question I have another one. Do you support a monoethnic society in Kosovo?

I am serious when I say that we have something like in multiethnic society in my city Belgrade, and I'm quite happy with it.

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MikeC

pre 14 godina

So much for a free and democratic Kosovo. I guess it only applies to the Albanians. No wonder Serbs in the North don't want to join and recognize Albanian institutions. If they do, they will face a similar faith. Wonder when we Serbs are going to treat the Presevo Albanians the same way?

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MikeC

pre 14 godina

"Who loves Kosova lives in Kosova"!
ben

Is that why 1 million Kosovo Albanians live outside of Kosovo?

Albanians are quick to judge Serbia on lack of minority rights. But, when it comes to Kosovo any news like this is suddenly not true. Just look at the facts on the ground. In Serbia there are all kinds of minorities. They are NOT leaving while in Kosovo they are. What's even worse is that NATO is suppose to protect these people. The remaining Serbs in Kosovo should trust only themselves, not NATO and definately not any Albanian promises of being part of Kosovo. Albanian objectives in Kosovo have always been to rid the territory of anything that's not Albanian.

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Tymi

pre 14 godina

I agree with Pejoni. The "discrimination" phenomenon is not new in the region. I condemn any political pressure against any minority. What I am wondering about the report is that the main claim is that these minorities are not getting access or do not have at all education system offered in their language. I do not know if in Kosovo Egyptian, Ashkali or other languages exist. I know only Serbian and Albanian and probably some Turks.

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nikshala

pre 14 godina

"Tell me honestly. If you were a Serb chased out in 2004 would you be comfortable in returning to a normal life? If you were a Serb from Pristina, would you be comfortable returning to a normal life? Until that situation is created then Kosovo has failed.

Tell me honestly. If you were in a minority group in Kosovo, would you feel different? Would you think you had the same opportunity as ethnic Albanians? Do you think Albanians would buy from an Albanian before buying from a Serb if the price was the same?
(RS Burns, 27 May 2009 12:32) "

RS Burns,

You raise some valid points. The situation of minorities in Kosovo is far from perfect, however a lot has been done in the last ten years, and it is certainly not as bad as some think it is. Most serbs are free to go wherever they want, and their 'enclaves' are not surrounded in barber wire. If you have been to Kosovo recently, you would know that.

I would like to ask you the following questions:

If you were K.albanian that was chased out during '99 or had someone you know killed by serbs, would you be comfortable in returning to a normal life as part of Serbia?

Tell me honestly. If you were an albanian in Serbia, would you feel different? Would you think you had the same opportunity as Serbs? Do you think Serbs would buy from an Albanian before buying from a Serb if the price was the same?

The truth is that all the Balkan countries that went through the 90's wars have a long way to go to achieve acceptable conditions for their minorities. This is understandable considering the brutality of the wars and the scars that they have left.

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Peter, B

pre 14 godina

... so much for the protection of minorities promised by Thaci et al. This criminal act of UDI must be stopped or we will see global shifs of populations throughout the world. Minorities will be harassed as secessionist groups use the Kosovo precedent to claim independence!

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John

pre 14 godina

What a complete waste of time to compile such report. Everyone knows that is the "economy stupid". Open the doors and every living thing in Kosovo will get out. Why would anyone live in a place where there are no paying jobs, no running water and electricity. School system is the wors probably in the whole europe. People regardles of their ethnicity are looking to get and migrate to better places. This is the sad reality and Thaqi and Sejdiu better wake up and start working to benefit the lives of the Kosovo citizens.

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The Swiss

pre 14 godina

Who loves Kosova lives in Kosova!
(ben, 27 May 2009 11:01)

Now I understand why the 200 thds and more K-Albanians living in Switzerland do not want to go back...

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Ilir

pre 14 godina

See part of the report:

"In this latest report, MRG says the lack of certainty over the status of the territory as a result of Serbia’s objection to Kosovo’s independence has limited the practical application of international human rights law.

“There is a danger that the new international organisations operating in Kosovo will compound the failure of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo to ensure a tolerant, multi-ethnic society,” says Lattimer.

MRG warns that unless this trend is reversed, it will see the steady migration of minority groups who have lived in Kosovo for hundreds of years, such as Bosniaks and Turks, and who have other states to migrate to."

Serbia failure to recognise Kosovo as an indepedent country is the only reason why a few Serb are leaving Kosovo.
The international community need to do more to support Kosovo economy and to work closely with the Roma and Bosniaks minorities.

A bit more about the report:
"A decade after the conflict people from minority communities still languish in displaced camps in dire conditions near Mitrovica. For Ashkali, Egyptian and Roma, who have no other countries to escape to, these trends are likely to lead to engrained poverty and further marginalization for generations to come, the report says."

This is a area near Mitrovice where Kosovo goverment has no power as Serbs have their own parallel jurisdiction system.
Yes it's clear that Kosovo needs to do more and every one understand the challenges.
However the situation is a far cry from Kosovo before the indepedence, and no comparison to Kosovo under Serbia Milosevic regime.

And to top it all :

"The report says that the process of EU accession has the potential to bring about improvement in Kosovo. It calls on the EU to broaden and improve the attention it gives to the issues faced by smaller minorities in the country and also to the issue of multiple discrimination of minority women."
I couldn't possibly argue with that.

Not even a single sentence talks about the Albanians in Kosovo terrorising or mistreating the minorities, or the Serb for that matter.
Clearly Kosovo has gone a long way ! Let's ingurage a democratic and free Kosovo for all the communities.

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Pz

pre 14 godina

(RS Burns, 27 May 2009 12:32)”

Now, my question is, do these Serbs really want to return? If the answer is yes, then there is nothing to stop them, I emphasize, nothing at all, especially now after the declaration of independence. Kosovo authorities would do anything possible to help everyone return because that way they would send a signal to the remaining world countries that haven’t recognized Kosovo, that an Independent Kosovo is the right solution.

I know Serbs enjoy more rights by laws than every other community living in Kosovo, including Albanians, now it is something else that they don’t want to get benefit of them. The Ahtisary Plan gives rights to Serbs living in Kosovo far more than they could ever get them even if they were to live in Serbia proper.
Kosovo’s parliament has 120 seats, 10 are reserved only for Serbs, no matter if they choose to participate in elections. Every institution, budgetary agencies, even international organizations have some percentage of reserved jobs for Serbs and other communities. Serbs (not all though) even 10 years after the war still drive their cars without KS registration plates (these plates were issued by UNMIK, under 1244) and they don’t get tickets. For 10 years they were not paying for any utilities (electricity, water, property taxes, etc). There are local radio and TV stations in every minority languages (out of around 130 more than 30 are owned by minorities) and there is a special fund established by the Government to support them. University and high schools have reserved places for communities’ students and they can enroll without any criteria, all it takes is their desire, etc etc, and yet again some say these communities are leaving Kosovo because they are being discriminated.

In every society, even in the most advanced ones there is some kind of discrimination you refer to and minorities somehow feel a bit different. So to my understanding, if these things are well regulated by laws then it is up to every minority community to decide how much they want to be part of that bigger society and benefit.

So, to cut the long story short, communities in Kosovo were ‘positively discriminated’ for too long, and now they are having problems in overall inclusion processes.

Thank you nik shala for adding some points to my post ;).

Please read these definitions of discrimination and be honest and tell me if Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, Serbs, Turks, are really being discriminated, as per it definition, in Kosovo.

“Discrimination generally means doing something in favour of, or against a person. This involves making a distinction between one person and another and treating him or her differently. Anti-discrimination law adopts a formulation of discrimination as being, not only different treatment, but also less favourable treatment.
Less favourable treatment indicates a sense of comparison between two people where one person is treated less favourably than another person. Discrimination is seen as being against one person,[5] namely the one who has been treated in an unfair or unequal manner. In many situations this less favourable treatment will be unlawful under anti-discrimination law.
Discrimination can be direct or indirect. Direct discrimination requires a comparison to be made between the treatment of the person discriminated against and a different real or hypothetical person.[6] Indirect discrimination involves treatment which appears to be neutral or fair but which has the effect of disadvantaging a particular group.
Direct discrimination tends to focus on a disadvantage suffered by one person, the notion of indirect discrimination centres more on group based disadvantage.[7] However, this does not mean that direct discrimination happens only to individuals or that indirect discrimination happens only to groups.[8]
The making of a comparison between two groups involves an assumption that two groups or sorts of people can be compared and that they should be treated equally.[9] This is not always possible as there are occasions when such a comparison is unhelpful or inappropriate, such as trying to compare pregnant women to men.”

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Amer

pre 14 godina

I'm not in Kosova, I don't know what the conditions are, but when minorities complain about lack of access tertiary education in their own languages you have to wonder where in the world there is university-level education in Ashkali, Egyptian, Roma, etc. (Not in the US, I can assure you.)

Getting permission to live in most better-off countries depends on being persecuted rather than poor, so of course people claim this. Roma were travelling to London by the planeload from the Czech Republic when I lived there, all claiming to be refugees from persecution. It got to the point that Britain set up checkpoints at the Prague airport to prevent them from even getting on the plane.

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prizreni

pre 14 godina

This is not because they don't have rights and they are leaving Kosovo. It's because of the economy situation, even few albanians if they would have a chance to leave they would do it. But sure for serbian people this news is different meaning , they are leaving because they don't have rights.

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alban

pre 14 godina

Everybody: rad their full report! Apparently they want new munis for Bosniaks, Roma, etc etc and make everyone official languages. It's insane, I would love to see what they say about Serbia. All their stats are based on "he estimated"

They also want to remove enclaves so be careful :-)

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Little Russia

pre 14 godina

"Its no wonder that the Serbs, Roma and Gorani among others living behind barbed wire and guarded 24 hours a day by Kfor troops in their ethnic ghettos want nothing to do with the KLA narco state."

And here is a photo of Kfor convoy, without which Serbs can't leave their ghettos.

http://www.kosovo-rus.narod.ru/photos/04.html

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RS Burns

pre 14 godina

"What a lie!!!!!! If Roma, Ashkali, Egyptians, Turks, Serbs, living in Kosovo have less rights by laws and constitution than the ones living in other region countries (where they are minority) and even EU than they could have some basis to say that these comunities are discriminated. But, everyone knows it is the oposite...."
(Pz, 27 May 2009 11:11)

With respect. This is where the problem lies. You can legislate all you want to appease western countries but that does not prevent discrimination unless it is enforced. Even if it is enforced it does not guarantee that discrimination will not take place.

Words and legislation are one thing - actions and reality is another.

On the basis that the whole issue of Kosovo independence has been sold on a tolerant multi ethnic basis then it should do more that most to ensure it can to live up to its guarantees.

Tell me honestly. If you were a Serb chased out in 2004 would you be comfortable in returning to a normal life? If you were a Serb from Pristina, would you be comfortable returning to a normal life? Until that situation is created then Kosovo has failed.

Tell me honestly. If you were in a minority group in Kosovo, would you feel different? Would you think you had the same opportunity as ethnic Albanians? Do you think Albanians would buy from an Albanian before buying from a Serb if the price was the same?

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MikeC

pre 14 godina

"They behaviour especially during the 90s are the reason why Serbs are experiencing retribution from the Albanian side".
Chacha

At least this albanian is honest enough to admit the master plan is to rid Kosovo of all minorities.

Perhaps now albanians understand why Kosovo must be partitioned and why the North should never allow itself to be a part of the "multicultural Kosovo"?

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Aljosa

pre 14 godina

I don't understand why this is "propaganda", that word seems to be the only response to any criticism the provincial institutions receive. This article by b92 is filled with quotes, is it not? They clearly state the source. If u believe b92 is being biased in their selection of news on Kosovo then thats another thing. However, i think b92 is on an equal footing when reporting on Kosovo developments, considering they're stationed in Belgrade

Can any Albanian send me a link to one Kosovo news article mentioning anything positive about Serbia or Serbs.It just has to be one and sports or eurovision articles don't count.

If the goal is to have a multi-ethnic society, then one important factor is freedom of media. How free is Kosovo's media? The Eu, i dont know if intentional or lack of care but they have done nothing in this regard. Not only in Kosovo but the Bosnian media is contributing to the failure of the Bosnian state. They are deeply segregated.

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Biljana

pre 14 godina

For us Serbs this is not surprise a bit.
However, can somebody please send a copy of this report
to Helsinki, right on the Martti Ahtisaari’s address, a fellow peace
dealer (for suitcase full of money) and Nobel peace prize winner.

I am trying to figure out did K-Albanians actually had in mind
minorities when releasing information (for tourists) of Polar bears residing
in Shar Mountains? I mean, according to their judgment, minorities in
Kosovo are as protected as Polar bears, thus must be kept (becuase of its wild nature) in reservates and isolated by barbed wires. It must have been that. We were
just not enough clever to realise what polar bears were symbolizing back then and nowadays.

It seems that MRG did not realise it yet as well, how foolish they must be. But, again,
the representatives of MRG must ask Ahtisaari and K-Albanians for an explanation.

Oh, yes, MRG is actually Serbian DB’s secret organization with the main
goal to destabilise such prosperous paradise in Kosovo, Milosevic’s and RTS propaganda, or even B92 propaganda.

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Amer

pre 14 godina

"Albanians had education in their own language and this was not enough. So, now you are saying that in the US you can't have that but when you had it in Yugoslavia you didn't think it was enough."

Albanians were a majority in Kosovo, of course they should have had university-level education in their language. Here in the US, all public education is either in English or in special classes to prepare students for eventual work in English. The idea is to prepare students for life in America, not to perpetuate foreign cultures. (They do this in Europe, and I'm not sure it's such a good idea.)

BTW, as an American, I never received any of my education in Yugoslavia.

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Explanation

pre 14 godina

This only goes to confirm what everyone had long known: Project Kosovo UDI was all about getting the West out of a hole. Declare victory and leave before the 'liberated' turn on their liberators!

Quite apart from knowing that independence was illegal, everyone knew that Kosovo was never going to be a functioning multi-ethnic state. No one could ever have believed otherwise.

What makes all this even more unbelievable is that, for all the international criticism heaped on Serbia, look at how many nationalities live in the rest of the country in peace. Considering it in its totality - Vojvodina and Sandzak - Serbia is the most diverse state in the Balkans. Kosovo could have remained autonomous within Serbia, but no one had the stomach to stand up to the Kosovo Albanians. It was simply easier to support an illegal UDI. However, this very short term 'fix' to appease troublemakers comes with a long-term price. Kosovo is an illegitimate 'state', dependent on handouts and slowly becoming less and less multiethnic.

Well done!

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Kosovo-UK

pre 14 godina

To all Kosovo supporters claiming propoganda please read the following:
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200905270556dowjonesdjonline000476&title=excludedminorities-leaving-kosovo-rights-group

This so called piece of propoganada was written by a London (UK - so called Kosovo ally, not likely to sabotage their own pet project) based group.

This article is not so much about returning as it is about mass exodous of minorities. When local economies are stumbling, it is a hard sell to claim all these people leaving are leaving because of tough financial times. They'll have just as much trouble or more trying to find work in another country.

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lili

pre 14 godina

rtkonline gives every day programs in serbian,turkish,bosnian and roma language.futhermore you have serbian radio and minorities radiofinaced by the eu in every region,and of course you have the serbian program from belgrade,as you always had in kosovo...
So why is this guy saying that ?Push for a new conflit?

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Ilir

pre 14 godina

Where is Roma district Mahala in Mitrovica - in northern or southern part of city? Where escaped Roma from Mahala - to serbian side or mayby to albanian side? Where are Roma refugee camps - in North or in South?

Dont' be hypocrite - Roma escaped from ALBANIAN part of Mitrovica.
(Milan, 27 May 2009 23:55)

Milan it's not me the "hypocrite", the report says so. Roma refugees lives in the nothern part of Mitrovica in an area which Kosovo goverment has no access for the last 10 years.
The report concetrate in nothern part of Mitrovica (controlled by Serbs parallel juridictions) and there are no mention of other part of Kosovo where Serb and other minorities lives.Also there is no criticism of the way Kosovo goverment is dealt with orthodox churhes in Kosovo.
As an Albanian i welcome the report and it's what we been saying for years now. An indepedent Kosovo and a Kosovo in EU is the best solution to the economic crisis, and to guarantee the minorities rights.

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Dragan

pre 14 godina

This is called 'ethnic cleansing'.
Of course people are leaving when they have no freedom of movement, no human rights, are afraid to speak their native tongue in public, and need military escorts to go grocery shopping. The fact that barbed wire 'ghettos' still exist in the 21'st century is an absolute shame and disgrace. I hope Biden and his gang of anti-Serb hate mongers are proud of themselves for this genocide they have created in Kosovo. American citizens need to know what is being done in their name. Shame.

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Mike

pre 14 godina

No need to worry folks, my country refers to Kosovo as a "multiethnic" "democratic" and "functioning state", and anything the US says must be true.

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Ventura405

pre 14 godina

This is an example of another failed USA nation-building project. I am disgusted as an American. I hope that Obama, and administrations forward, will not exploit people in other parts of the world for their own geo-political ambitions. As the first poster said, poor people.

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GSP

pre 14 godina

This entire "independence" claim from the snake & his cronies is such a bunch of malarchy.

These people don't know what they want - to be "kosovars", albanians, or Serbian citizens by way of passport.

All the former kosovars are being arrested, deported or held on trafficking charges....what gives? Then you have Biden visiting & cheering on their independence....the blind leading the blind.

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Rod

pre 14 godina

"So, to cut the long story short, communities in Kosovo were ‘positively discriminated’ for too long, and now they are having problems in overall inclusion processes."

Fully agree with you Pz,UNMIK has spoiled them a lot.

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Ilir

pre 14 godina

peter, sydney, 28 May 2009 09:56 writes:

Perhaps you didn't read this bit:
"This is of serious concern to minorities, given the history of state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999, and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004, much of which remains to be prosecuted. "

"state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999"
Peter this is a reference to ethnic cleansing by the Serb army/police, against the Albanian minorities at the time.

"and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004"

The violence in 2004 was painful and a clear indications how far Kosovo has gone from those dark moments. Today it's unthinkable those violences returning in Kosovo.

Or this:
"And yet, by the end of 2005, not a single domestic war crimes case had been filed in which the victims were non-Albanians, despite crimes against Ashkali, Roma, Serb and other communities. "

Before and during 2005 it was the UNMIK job to investigate and bring to justice anyone accused for war crimes.


"The general failure of the Kosovo justice system to effectively prosecute war crimes, other criminal cases and ethnically motivated violence has also been widely reported. "

Again there are no cases put forward from the Serb or other communities for the Kosovo juridictions to investigate. Also Kosovo justice system can't persecute the Serb throwing petrol bomb and stones against the rebuilding of the houses in nothern part of Mitrovica.

And with this:
"The result is that minorities are reluctant to report instances of discrimination or crimes against them due to fear of harassment, and experience of authorities collaborating, or at the very least not prosecuting crimes committed against them. This mistrust and lack of confidence in domestic law enforcement institutions among minority groups leads to ongoing fears for their security, and a lack of willingness to return among internally displaced persons. "

I accept these critics as fair, and Kosovo goverment needs to do more to encourage the minorities joining the police and the justice system. It whould help a lot if Serbia would stop trying to undermine Kosovo indepedence and encouraging the Serb in Kosovo to be part of Kosovo police/justice system.


That's the problem with only 'seeing a part of the report'.

Again i will have to emphasise that this report is not perfect. Clearly more need to be done if Kosovo wants to join EU or to have the western standarts.

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RS Burns

pre 14 godina

"They behaviour especially during the 90s are the reason why Serbs are experiencing retribution from the Albanian side.
(Chacha, 27 May 2009, 13:21)"

At least you are truthful. This is exactly what Albanian people (justified or not) think. So there goes your tolerant multi ethnic state.

The promises made in support of independence cannot and will not be kept.

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Denis

pre 14 godina

Perhaps now albanians understand why Kosovo must be partitioned and why the North should never allow itself to be a part of the "multicultural Kosovo"?
(MikeC, 27 May 2009 15:12)

Amen to that. Take the north and move on. I am all for it, but I am sure most of the albanians would claim Presevo if they give you Mitrovica.

Not me though, take Mitrovica above Ibar, or maybe a population exchange if you prefer,
and allow us to build a wall so no serbs come south and no albanians go north.

This will keep the conflict away from Kosovo and Serbia, and contribute in economic development. We can't live together in peace, so let's split up for a while.

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Dragan, Toronto

pre 14 godina

The Albanian dream of a having a monoethnic society in KOSOVO is becoming more and more clearer, despite the weak international calls against it.

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dave(UK)

pre 14 godina

Its no suprise really, what is Kosovo really? its nothing more in a protectorate province administered by the EU. The province is divided, the Albanians are still hung up on the war, the province is poor, no real investment from the west because to be frank we dont really care.

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peter, sydney

pre 14 godina

"Its not discrimination, its about economy...
(Pejoni, 27 May 2009 10:53) "

"What a lie!!!!!!...
(Pz, 27 May 2009 11:11) "

"This is the purest lie I have ever come across. Stop the RTS era propaganda B92...
(LOL, 27 May 2009 11:16) "

"They should back up their arguments with real facts!...
(nikshala, 27 May 2009 11:48) "

etc.


Judging by the almost universal state of denial shown by K-albanian's here, is not really surprising that the minority rights supposedly enshrined within their 'constitution' have so little relevance to the actual reality on the ground in Kosovo.

Take your 'blinkers' off people & read the report - for is impossible to rectify a problem if you deny it even exists.

http://www.minorityrights.org/7856/reports/filling-the-vacuum-ensuring-protection-and-legal-remedies-for-minorities-in-kosovo.html


ps: MRG is an NGO under the UN originally organised to combat apartheid & is not a 'serb propaganda'vehicle.

pps: And reports bibliography is quite extensive 'nikshala' - as you would have known if you were really interested in 'the facts' & had bothered to actually read it.

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timotimekvej

pre 14 godina

Olf, you can ask any serb on Kosovo&Metohija and he will answer you that he is leaving because albanian repression that lasted for whole decade (1998-2009). Albanians were also leaving Kosovo&Metohija in 1999 when they were brutally bombed by their friendly NATO allies. And answer me do you consider yourself as an objective and neutral commentator?

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Peggy

pre 14 godina

"I'm not in Kosova, I don't know what the conditions are, but when minorities complain about lack of access tertiary education in their own languages you have to wonder where in the world there is university-level education in Ashkali, Egyptian, Roma, etc. (Not in the US, I can assure you.) "

Amer @32, this is exactly what Albanians had but they still rioted and schemed until they provoked a war there. Albanians had education in their own language and this was not enough. So, now you are saying that in the US you can't have that but when you had it in Yugoslavia you didn't think it was enough.

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TITO

pre 14 godina

This tragedy has gone for long enough and has to stop. I agree fully with "Denis" comments, we have to separate from Albanians and do the population exchange. There is no other way to live peacefully as we dont want to live in the same state and be oppressed. So, lets agree on separation, draw the border and build the wall. But please do not come to Serbia after that, asking for jobs!

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iseult henry

pre 14 godina

The Serbs have been forced off their lands since the Turks first occupied Stari Serbia in the 15 century. However, the greatest cleansing of the Serbs and other communities happened since 1999, under the watchful eye of Nato and supported by the west. This was the plan - rid the territory of Serbs and everything will be much easier to manage. Fait accompli - everything went to plan. Now 10 years later comes this report stating that "minorities" are leaving Kosovo. A case of too litle too late.

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Serbian diaspora

pre 14 godina

No-one should be surprised that Serbs are leaving Kosovo and Metohija, least of all Biden and Obama. Amercian foreign policy should be ashamed of of its corruption, greed. Shame, Shame, Shame.

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Peggy

pre 14 godina

Albanians were a majority in Kosovo, of course they should have had university-level education in their language. Here in the US, all public education is either in English or in special classes to prepare students for eventual work in English. The idea is to prepare students for life in America, not to perpetuate foreign cultures. (They do this in Europe, and I'm not sure it's such a good idea.)

BTW, as an American, I never received any of my education in Yugoslavia.
(Amer, 28 May 2009 05:22)

Amer, so do you also have Universities in Spanish to cater for areas which are overwhelmingly Hispanic?

My point was that Albanians had everything in Albanian and they still rioted and were not satisfied. WHY?

Do you think that Hispanics should riot now and demand that everything is in Spanish because they are a majority in some areas?

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Milan

pre 14 godina

New York Times - 1 Nov. 1987 (two Years BEFORE Milosevic reduced Kosovo autonomy):

"The current hostilities pit separatist-minded ethnic Albanians against the various Slavic populations of Yugoslavia and occur at all levels of society, from the highest officials to the humblest peasants.

A young Army conscript of ethnic Albanian origin shot up his barracks, killing four sleeping Slavic bunkmates and wounding six others."

"Ethnic Albanians in the Government have manipulated public funds and regulations to take over land belonging to Serbs. And politicians have exchanged vicious insults.

Slavic Orthodox churches have been attacked, and flags have been torn down. Wells have been poisoned and crops burned. Slavic boys have been knifed, and some young ethnic Albanians have been told by their elders to rape Serbian girls."

"The goal of the radical nationalists among them, one said in an interview, is an ''ethnic Albania that includes western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, part of southern Serbia, Kosovo and Albania itself.'' That includes large chunks of the republics that make up the southern half of Yugoslavia."

" Last summer, the authorities in Kosovo said they documented 40 ethnic Albanian attacks on Slavs in two months. In the last two years, 320 ethnic Albanians have been sentenced for political crimes, nearly half of them characterized as severe. "

"In one incident, Fadil Hoxha, once the leading politician of ethnic Albanian origin in Yugoslavia, joked at an official dinner in Prizren last year that Serbian women should be used to satisfy potential ethnic Albanian rapists. After his quip was reported this October, Serbian women in Kosovo protested, and Mr. Hoxha was dismissed from the Communist Party. "

" Ethnic Albanians already control almost every phase of life in the autonomous province of Kosovo, including the police, judiciary, civil service, schools and factories. Non-Albanian visitors almost immediately feel the independence - and suspicion - of the ethnic Albanian authorities. "

"While 200,000 Serbs and Montenegrins still live in the province, they are scattered and lack cohesion. In the last seven years, 20,000 of them have fled the province, often leaving behind farmsteads and houses, for the safety of the Slavic north. "

This is not Milosevic propaganda. This is PRE-MILOSEVIC, american NEW YORK TIMES analyse of situation in Kosovo.

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Steve J.P.

pre 14 godina

Of course minorities are leaving Kosovo; that was part of the plan from the beginning from Kosovo's functioning ethnic Albanian government. Pretend to the USA and NATO Europe that Kosovo is for everyone; then after the USA and NATO Europe puts the current government in power through a bloody, horrible war that government allows life to continue to be a living hell for the minorities, then puts the blame squarely on the economy when the fact is the KLA whipped up mass frenzy hysteria against Kosovo's minorities and their Christian religion. Is the current functioning government of Kosovo going to do a re-education campaign for Kosovo society to accept or at least tolerate Kosovo's minorities and their religion? Of course not.

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MarKo

pre 14 godina

On writing this there are 40 comments and none of them answer BGannon's question yet presumably the pro separatist crowd is voting against his comment. It is easy to vote against something, its hard to come up with your own ideas.


Bgannon, I agree with most of your comments except that Pristina and the internationals are not the only ones to blame. I blame the permissive divided and weak authorities and politicians in Belgrade as they are not providing material support for these people or even moral support; what would be wrong with pressuring the EU on this? Why wasn't Biden asked about this in front of a Camera last week?

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Pro-Serbia

pre 14 godina

Hmmm.. is this the pledge of Mr. Hashim Thaci that they so called protect the minorities ??? I guessed the snake lied to the world…

WAKE UP NATO / WEST AND SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

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peter, sydney

pre 14 godina

"See part of the report:
...
Not even a single sentence talks about the Albanians in Kosovo terrorising or mistreating the minorities, or the Serb for that matter.
Clearly Kosovo has gone a long way ! Let's ingurage a democratic and free Kosovo for all the communities.
(Ilir, 27 May 2009 18:28) "


Perhaps you didn't read this bit:
"This is of serious concern to minorities, given the history of state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999, and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004, much of which remains to be prosecuted. "

Or this:
"And yet, by the end of 2005, not a single domestic war crimes case had been filed in which the victims were non-Albanians, despite crimes against Ashkali, Roma, Serb and other communities. "

And which continues with this:
"The general failure of the Kosovo justice system to effectively prosecute war crimes, other criminal cases and ethnically motivated violence has also been widely reported. "

And with this:
"The result is that minorities are reluctant to report instances of discrimination or crimes against them due to fear of harassment, and experience of authorities collaborating, or at the very least not prosecuting crimes committed against them. This mistrust and lack of confidence in domestic law enforcement institutions among minority groups leads to ongoing fears for their security, and a lack of willingness to return among internally displaced persons. "


That's the problem with only 'seeing a part of the report'.

Take the blinkers off 'Ilir'.

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Milan

pre 14 godina

"Milan it's not me the "hypocrite", the report says so. Roma refugees lives in the nothern part of Mitrovica in an area which Kosovo goverment has no access for the last 10 years. "

@illir.

illir - I asked about situation of Roma in southern (Albanian) part of Mitrovica. Did You see Roma district Mahala? Why Roma peoples fled from Mahala to northern (Serbian) part of Mitrovica or to Serbia?

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AdamNY

pre 14 godina

I find it interesting that the report cannot seem to manage to point out or highlight concrete examples of any of the kinds of the discrimination it claims.

And in fact, the biggest claims come directly as PROPAGANDA as the report embarrassingly enough quotes directly from State Secretary in the SERBIAN "Ministry for Kosovo" Oliver Ivanovic .... a foreign govt. official that NO ONE IN KOSOVO voted for...even kosovo serbs themselves and who is in fact one of the people chided for interfering with and encourging kosovo serbs to stir up trouble and NOT to co-operate with their govt.

it seems this report was sat on too long and might have been at least more plausable 5 or 6 years ago.

if this is the best they can come with it kosovo's minority is the envy of minority groups everywhere in the balkans.

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Daveo Dinkum

pre 14 godina

Poor Pols are leaving Britain, Brits are moving out of NZ and Aus, Serbs are moving out of Serbia and so on ...
(Olf, 27 May 2009 13:40)

Can you please provide your reference for Brits leaving Australia & NZ. In fact Brits are migrating here as much as they ever have.

I believe that's a poor comparison. Comparing a province well known for restriction of basic human rights and a poor economy to multicultural nations with a strong economy (even in these tough times)

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Little Russia

pre 14 godina

The facts are much more appalling. Albanians use intimidation tactic to keep Serbs in their ghettos, where they live, work etc. I’ve seen a piece of reporting about a Serb, who left his enclave alone and without Kfor convoy. In several days a luxurious Jeep arrived to his enclave and a plastic bag with a dismembered body of that Serb was thrown down from it. It was a clear message. People got the idea and there were no volunteers any more to freely have a walk along Kosovo. For Albanians it’s enough from time to time to make Serbs "know their place". During the celebration of a so-called “independence” of Kosovo this year a Kosovan flag was hung out on the altar of the Orthodox Church of Sts Peter and Paul in the village of Brod, in Drajkovc. In Gniljan, Albanians fired at a group of Serbs. A 24 year old Serb Vasco Arsic was wounded and hospitalized. NOBODY was hold liable for that. Albanians can bear guns and fire WITH IMPUNITY. Kosovan police deliberately doesn’t protect Serbs. About what language or cultural rights are you talking? The things are much more horrible!

Some cynical posters over here asked, why all Serbs haven’t left Kosovo (what a pity, eh?), if their life is so dire. Let’s recall Srpska Krajna - many Serbs there stayed till the last moment (unfortunately for them), especially those who had nowhere to go. It’s a peculiarity of human psychology – habit and desperation dull sense of insecurity.

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Little Russia

pre 14 godina

"Milan it's not me the "hypocrite", the report says so. Roma refugees lives in the nothern part of Mitrovica in an area which Kosovo goverment has no access for the last 10 years. "

@illir.
You heard something "bad" about Northern Mitrovica, but don't remember what exactly. I will help you. Here is the full story. It's another accusation in address to KLA.

While Nato troops arrived to Kosovo – for “humanitarian intervention” – on June 1999 their Kosovo Albanian allies started their revenge not only against Serbs but also against the Roma which the Albanians accused of collaborating with Serbs. The largest Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians (RAE) community was in south Mitrovica. They were FORCED TO MOVE over Ibar river to Serb dominated north Mitrovica.

Under international administration those displaced families were placed in camps located heavily POLLUTED mining and smelter complex. The international administration know that camps were in dangerously toxic environment, the experts and non-governmental organizations demanded immediate evacuation for Roma families, however after nearly ten years – in post-war Kosovo, 200 km from the European Union’s borders – these families still are trapped in camps slowly dying from lead poisoning.

http://arirusila.wordpress.com/?s=toxic+lead+Roma

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Little Russia

pre 14 godina

@TITO
"This tragedy has gone for long enough and has to stop. I agree fully with "Denis" comments, we have to separate from Albanians and do the population exchange."

It would have terrible consequences. First of all, I read that Albanians in the Southern Serbia (which is north to Northern Mitrovica) told: “if N.Mitrovica “separate” from Kosovo, why we can’t do the same and join Kosovo. The worst solution is to yield to terrorist’s claims. Let me mention Chechnya in this case. After it had become de facto independent (absolutely out of Russian control), Basaev and Hattab in 1999 intruded into PROPER Russian territory – Dagestan. The conclusions, which must be drawn, are the following – the cancer must be ablated. The core of all problems is a KLA regime. It's not the fault of ordinary Albanians. If people are told, that they can kill and rob – they kill and rob and vice versa. I know what you think: “It’s not real”, “What about Bondsteel camp?” etc. Theoretically it’s real, since it’s not about a large-scale military operation, but more likely is a job for intelligence services. The whole problem is that there isn’t a “political will” to do that for the part of those, who must take active actions in this direction. But so far what must be done (to my point of view) is the following: to strengthen (reaffirm) Serbian sovereignty by means of international law and to take steps (let it be small steps) towards reintegration. Maybe I’m wrong, but I liked that idea with handing over passports…

Entire Kosovo is Serbia.

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Niall O'Doherty

pre 14 godina

Since we are 90% kosovar albania we dont need any minorities in Kosova.
(made in kosova, 27 May 2009 19:06)

Yeah you're right. Who needs minorities. Those damn pesky Serbs, Roma, Gorani, Bosniaks etc. Get rid of them. Hey! over 250,000 plus have been ethnically cleansed from their homes since 1999. Good job guys, well done, keep at it. Whoop it up for "freedom" and "democracy"

I tell you what, while we are at it, Serbia should extend a big send off for the million plus non Serbs living in the rest of Serbia. Send those upstart Magyars back to Hungary. Give them 2 sandwiches each. 1 sandwich each to the Czechs and Slovaks. Gives the Slovenes and Croats a shot of rakia and load them on the buses to Ljubljana and Zagreb respectively. Same for the Bosniaks, Albanians and Bulgars. Send the Roma back to India on all all expenses, paid first class one way flight. Give them all a good send off including my old neighbour Mr Goldberg.

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LMN II, USA

pre 14 godina

This is the purest lie I have ever come across. Stop the RTS era propaganda B92.


What? This supposed propaganda isnt from RTS or B92. If you have a problem with this report you need to contact MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, a LONDON based group. Hopefully, in time, the rest of the West will start seeing the ethnic Skanderbegs for who they really are and give up on this dream of a "multi-ethnic" KosovO and see it for what it really is, the beginnings of a failed state run by war criminals and gangsters.

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Milan

pre 14 godina

"This is a area near Mitrovice where Kosovo goverment has no power as Serbs have their own parallel jurisdiction system. "

Where is Roma district Mahala in Mitrovica - in northern or southern part of city? Where escaped Roma from Mahala - to serbian side or mayby to albanian side? Where are Roma refugee camps - in North or in South?

Dont' be hypocrite - Roma escaped from ALBANIAN part of Mitrovica.

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RS Burns

pre 14 godina

"and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004"

The violence in 2004 was painful and a clear indications how far Kosovo has gone from those dark moments. Today it's unthinkable those violences returning in Kosovo."

Think of how far Serbia has gone since 1999. Totally dedicated to peaceful resolution of the Kosovo issue. Talk to them, compromise and achieve lasting peace.

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peter, sydney

pre 14 godina

Ilir:
From the report:
""This is of serious concern to minorities, given the history of state-sponsored

violence against minorities in 1999, and large-scale ethnic violence in 2004, much of

which remains to be prosecuted. "

'Ilir' wrote:
> "state-sponsored violence against minorities in 1999"
Peter this is a reference to ethnic cleansing by the Serb army/police, against the

Albanian minorities at the time

Actually 'Ilir', MRG are talking about the actions of the K-albanians immediately

following the civil war, when they found themselves in control of Kosovo with the

serbs & others at their 'mercy' such as the hundred's of civilian minorities that

were kidnapped & murdered afterwards ...

... as is obvious from this paragraph from the report:
"The failure to prosecute past grave human rights abuses against minority groups in

both 1999 and 2004, combined with limited minority representation in Kosovo’s police,

security forces and judiciary are further impediments to the effective enforcement of

minority rights in Kosovo. "

Which isn't really surprising since this is a report dealing with minorities in

Kosovo & whatever else they are, K-albanians are not a minority in Kosovo.


'Ilir' also wrote:
"The violence in 2004 was painful and a clear indications how far Kosovo has gone

from those dark moments. Today it's unthinkable those violences returning in Kosovo.

"

When hardly any of those who committed criminal acts in the 2004 riots (in which some

50,000 K-albanians participated) have been arrested, let alone convicted for their

crimes, I fail to see what makes you think it cannot happen again.

No punishment - no consequences - no disincentive.


'Ilir' also wrote:
"Before and during 2005 it was the UNMIK job to investigate and bring to justice

anyone accused for war crimes. "

While it was UNMIK's (& is now EULEX's) responsibility to oversee these aspects, they

cannot operate in a vacumn.

And Where there is no will on behalf of the general populace, nor on those leading

them, nor on those who are supposed to be policing them, to redress the

discrimination against all the minorities, there can be no progress in this arena.

To lay all the blame on UNMIK is a cop-out.


And wrote:
"Again there are no cases put forward from the Serb or other communities for the

Kosovo juridictions to investigate. "

Crap.


And wrote:
"It whould help a lot if Serbia would stop trying to undermine Kosovo indepedence and

encouraging the Serb in Kosovo to be part of Kosovo police/justice system. "

The 'serbs in Kosovo' were never asked if they wanted to be part of a so-called

independent 'republic of Kosovo'- they still consider themselves to be part of

Serbia.

And while they do, it is Serbia's responsibility to help them - by blocking

recognition, by setting up parallel institutions, & by material support (in which

'belgrade' needs to do a lot more).

To expect otherwise is naive.


Finally, you said:
"Again i will have to emphasise that this report is not perfect. Clearly more need to

be done if Kosovo wants to join EU or to have the western standarts. "

The report is actually fairly comprehensive, but I doubt if you read all of it as is

obvious from the above.

For instance one of the critiques is that the minorities played no part in the

drafting of those aspects of the 'pseudo-state's new constitution that deal with them

- even to the extent of consultation, let alone formulation.

What hope then that 'those aspects' will actually address their concerns.

Let alone that 'those aspects' will ever be implemented & acted upon.

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TITO

pre 14 godina

Little Russia,
Yes, I like the way you think mate but me personally have lost all patience and respect for justice. Only might is right and I am afraid we are not Russia. I hope that we have the strengt to embark on a long road you speak off. And may we win whichever one we choose!

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Little Russia

pre 14 godina

@TITO

Intelligence/military operations, which I was talking about, is a Russian holy DUTY to Serbia and my post above was a direct reproach to the Russian government for their focusing on diplomatic and political approach towards Kosovo issue, though we both know that there are other much more effective ways of solving this problem.
It is our Russian guilt that Serbia is now suffering its "Kosovo tragedy". The lack of our help in 1999 was unforgivable and crucial.
We know it and remember it. It's Russian shame and sin forever! What must be done for the part of Russia is to expiate its guilt to Serbia as soon as possible, but not to just maintain this strange status-quo. And, yes, you are right - let us win!

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Amer

pre 14 godina

'This is not Milosevic propaganda. This is PRE-MILOSEVIC, american NEW YORK TIMES analyse of situation in Kosovo [1987].'

With 10 years the Yugoslav government couldn't turn this situation around? Why does the Serb government think it could do any better today?

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