Andric Rakic and Drecun: The terror against Serbs is a political decision by Pristina’s institutions

Milica Andric Rakic, Program Manager at the "New Social Initiative," told RTS that they have yet to receive a response from KFOR regarding an increase in sexual harassment cases in northern Kosovo, which prompted them to bring the issue to the media. Milovan Drecun, President of the Serbian Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Internal Affairs, stated that Serbs in Kosovo face great uncertainty and that the terror against them is a political decision by Pristina’s institutions and Albin Kurti.

Andric Rakic notes that the international community has not adequately responded to complaints of sexual harassment. Although KFOR was asked to provide additional patrols at key locations in the city, this has not occurred. 

She mentions that EULEX assured them they would increase foot patrols, but she has only seen these patrols once.

Andric Rakic stresses that public safety has declined significantly, especially over the weekends, and there appears to be a pattern of sexual harassment targeting women.

"This issue is widespread across Kosovo. For Serbian women, it has been an ongoing issue for decades, but it wasn’t widely discussed. In the north, this type of harassment didn’t happen because it’s a small, close-knit community, where such behavior on the street would be unacceptable. People would recognize each other and know each other’s families," Andric Rakic explained.

She adds that women in the north, who are unaccustomed to such harassment, have started speaking up, and women from the south of Kosovo, who have experienced it longer, are joining them.
Andric Rakic says they wrote to KFOR about these issues but received no response, prompting them to go public.

"We are fully aware of how sensitive this topic is and continually emphasize that it must not be used, particularly from Serbia, as propaganda against the Albanian population. These incidents are committed by individuals who are encouraged by an ultranationalist government. Propaganda would undermine our claims and fail to solve the problem," Andric Rakic stated.

As she says, "There is an organized influx of Albanians into the central pedestrian area in North Mitrovica, which is why most parents in that peak period from 12 to three or four no longer bring their children there."

"Generally, if they are present, there's a high level of tension because these people are not necessarily well-intentioned, nor is it a natural process. It is not that communities feel it is time for greater interaction, but rather, it is an artificial way of exposing the two communities to one another in conditions of poor inter-ethnic relations," Milica Andric Rakic said.
She adds that it can become very tense and uncomfortable, altering the daily behavior of the people who live there.

"So far, there have been no major incidents. There have been instances of swearing, attempted assaults on some people, especially those who are more recognizable in the Albanian public. We had one opposition politician who was targeted by these people, but generally, the atmosphere is truly uncomfortable and, unfortunately, susceptible to potential incidents," Andric Rakic stated.

She notes that, besides the arrest of Milos Subotic, there was an incident last night involving police harassment, though without physical abuse.

"If you are a man and happen to be on the streets after midnight, there is a high chance you will be arrested, and if you are arrested, there is a significant chance you might be beaten. The risk factor for men at night is high," Milica Andric Rakic said.

Milovan Drecun, Chairman of the Committee for Defense and Internal Affairs of the National Assembly, stated that for Serbs in Kosovo, there is great uncertainty and a complete lack of security.

"This is because the terror imposed on Serbs is a political decision by the temporary self-governing institutions in Priština. This is Albin Kurti's policy to completely control northern Kosovo and force the Serbian people to integrate into the so-called state of Kosovo," Drecun said.

He points out that this is being implemented systematically as part of a long-term campaign.

"When there is such terror from institutions and from members of the so-called Kosovo Police Service and special police units, it is no surprise that this encourages extremist Albanians to physically attack Serbs. We have seen data that since Kurti came to power, there have been over 80 ethnically motivated physical attacks on our people in Kosovo and Metohija, with the terror carried out by both extremist Albanians and individuals who are supposed to protect the Serbian people from this terror," Drecun said.

He adds that when Serbs are legally reduced to second-class citizens, and the institutions in Kosovo do not protect them, this encourages extremists to attack Serbs because they know they won’t face consequences.

"EULEX acts as a kind of neutral observer, while KFOR says it is merely the third ring of security in Kosovo and Metohija, claiming that these matters, such as the protection of the Serbian people and punishment of those who attack and endanger them, are responsibilities of the police," Drecun emphasized.

He notes that it is good that the issue of sexual harassment of women has been raised and that more attention should be paid to it.

"Every case should be documented, and as much information as possible should be shared with diplomats visiting Kosovo and Metohija to talk with Serbs, the civil sector, Serbian NGOs, and our officials. We had a problem with rapes during 1998, 1999, and after the arrival of peacekeeping forces in Kosovo and Metohija, committed by members of the terrorist KLA. This is rarely discussed publicly, let alone internationally," Milovan Drecun said.

He adds that there is now a clear continuity in Albanian attitudes toward Serbs.

"Sexual harassment of women and rape of women are regularly perpetrated by extremist Albanians, and it was the official policy of the terrorist KLA to carry out ethnic cleansing," Drecun told RTS.

Speaking about the report of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Drecun says that the international presence in Kosovo sees the potential opening of the Ibar Bridge to motor vehicles as a possible escalation trigger.

"When you have such a strong presence of special paramilitary units that don’t respect even basic human rights of the Serbian people, beating them, arresting them, harassing them, as we have seen recently, even beating them in prison, there is always that tension. When there is no freedom of movement, no freedom of speech, no prospects, and no planned future, the tension is immense, and people feel it because it affects everyday life. When someone prevents you from receiving your salary or from buying the medicine or food you need," Drecun said.

He emphasizes that in such conditions, conflict can always arise.

"We recently had a peaceful student protest, but there’s always the possibility of someone intentionally trying to provoke a conflict, which is why this report is accurate. Yes, the situation is extremely tense, and it’s tense because of the behavior of the international presence and the international community," Milovan Drecun emphasized.

He adds that the international community has long expected Pristina to establish the Community of Serb Municipalities, but it has yet to compel it to do so.

"The failure of the dialogue is a result of Kurti's well-known tactic of avoiding discussions on all issues that should be part of the dialogue, even with all the problems. Kurti refuses to talk and takes unilateral actions. He has shifted the entire discussion to status-related issues, seeking recognition of the so-called state of Kosovo from Belgrade before discussing other matters. Unfortunately, both the EU and the US encourage such behavior from Kurti. They have granted him visa liberalization. Look at the reform agenda now, it primarily focuses on human rights, yet we witness widespread human rights violations of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, and the EU still positively assesses and accepts this reform agenda. This encourages Kurti to continue down this path," Drecun said.