Civil society: Rigid implementation of new legal measures could endanger the everyday life of Serbs in Kosovo

A group of non-governmental organizations has warned representatives of diplomatic missions in Kosovo about the risks that a rigid and inadequately prepared implementation of the Law on Foreigners and the Regulation on the Management of Vehicles with Serbian License Plates could pose to the everyday life of the Serbian community in Kosovo.

In a statement signed by the Nova društvena inicijativa (NSI), the Centar za afirmativne društvene akcije (CASA), NVO Aktiv, and the Institut za teritorijalni ekonomski razvoj (InTER), it is noted that on Wednesday, 21 January, they held a consultative meeting with representatives of diplomatic missions in Kosovo following announcements by the Kosovo Government regarding the commencement of the application of the new legal framework.

“During the meeting, representatives of the international diplomatic community were alerted to the risks that a rigid and inadequately prepared implementation of this legal framework could have on the everyday life of the Serbian community in Kosovo, including the functioning of essential services of existential importance, such as the healthcare and education systems,” the statement reads.

The organizations add that civil society actors emphasized the need for greater engagement by the international community to ensure a comprehensive and responsible approach to this issue.

“It is also important to insist on broad and inclusive consultations with the Serbian community, involving relevant political representatives, civil society, and the academic community, as a prerequisite for any further steps related to this legal framework,” the statement underscores.

They further note that the group of civil society organizations signing the statement will continue to monitor this process and advocate for solutions that protect the interests of the Serbian community and its fundamental rights, while calling on all relevant stakeholders to assume their share of responsibility in this process, bearing in mind its exceptional importance for the survival of the Serbian community in Kosovo.