Antonijevic: Religious messages of peace must not be a reason for police intervention

The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Milan Antonijevic, expressed concern over the ban imposed by the Kosovo Police on a banner with the religious message “Peace of God, Christ Is Born” in North Mitrovica, stressing that religious messages of peace must not be a reason for police intervention.

“It is concerning news that a banner with the message ‘Peace of God, Christ Is Born’ has been banned in North Mitrovica. Religious messages—especially messages of peace—must not be a reason for intervention by the Kosovo Police. Respect for freedom of religion and the dignity of people during religious holidays is the foundation of any democratic society and of readiness for dialogue and the normalization of relations,” Antonijevic wrote on the social network X.

The Commissioner called on the competent institutions to ensure respect for the right to express religious messages and to prevent such situations from recurring, emphasizing the importance of freedom of religion and mutual respect among communities.

Earlier today in North Mitrovica, members of the Kosovo Police confiscated a banner reading “Peace of God, Christ Is Born,” which representatives of the Serb List attempted to display in the city center, while Mayor Milan Radojevic was requested to report immediately to the police station.