Two protests against Jeremic's UN bid to be held in Pristina

Two protests against Jeremic's UN bid to be held in Pristina

Organizers said they were calling the protests because Kosovo's admission to the UN would be blocked "for the next ten years" should Jeremic succeed Ban Ki-moon at the helm of the world organization.

Jeremic is Serbia's former foreign minister, who also in the past served as president of the UN General Assembly.

The first protest in Pristina will take place on Saturday, August 27, the newspaper is reporting. This will happen ahead of a new round of voting (in the UNSC) on the candidates. This protest is organized by political activists, with support from political parties in Kosovo.

Organizer Jeta Berisha told Balkan Insight they believe that Jeremic is "the biggest anti-Albanian politician" and if elected to head the UN, would prevent Kosovo from joining.

She also thinks that Jeremic has a chance of being elected to the post, "where he could stay for ten years."

The website also noted an earlier statement made by Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj that Jeremic "lobbied against international recognition of Kosovo and opposed the U.S. and EU policy on Kosovo."

Hoxhaj assessed that Jeremic is "the least suitable candidate" and that he "lacks a peaceful character" that the UN secretary-general should have.

As for the second protest, the Pristina media said it will be held on Saturday, September 3, organized by women's associations in Kosovo.

Organizations Feminism, Women, the Union of Women of Kosovo, and Mother, said they received support from the Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa, who sent a protest letter to all members of the Security Council concerning to Jeremic's candidacy.

A statement carried by the Pristina media said that Kosovo will lose the ability to become a member if the UN if Jeremic is elected.

"For the benefit of all the martyrs, for the sake of all the Albanian mothers dressed in black, all the raped women and girls, and for all Kosovo families who are yet to find the remains of relatives who went missing during the war, we invite you to a mass protest on Saturday, September 3, 2016," said the statement.