EU on detentions at Gazimestan: Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is a fundamental right

A spokesperson for the European Union stated that the EU has taken note of the first-instance judgment of the Basic Court in Pristina against 36 individuals in connection with the events at Gazimestan, emphasizing that freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly are fundamental rights that must be protected in accordance with the rule of law and human rights standards.

"We take note of the first-instance judgment of the Basic Court in Pristina against 36 individuals in connection with the events that took place during Sunday's commemoration at Gazimestan. We would like to recall that freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly are fundamental rights and must be protected in accordance with the rule of law and applicable human rights standards," the EU spokesperson said in a response to Kosovo Online.

The spokesperson added that any restriction on these rights must remain "exceptional, necessary and proportionate," and must be consistent with the applicable legal and constitutional framework, based on clear evidence and an assessment of the specific circumstances of each individual case.

Two days earlier, the Basic Court in Pristina imposed a fine of €700 on 36 individuals detained at Gazimestan during the Vidovdan commemoration, ordering that the fines be paid within 15 days. The Court also ordered the deportation of those who do not possess Kosovo-issued documents and imposed a three-year ban on their re-entry into Kosovo.

The detainees appeared before the Basic Court in Pristina on 29 June, where they pleaded not guilty.

On 28 June, the Kosovo Police stated that the individuals had provoked participants by chanting provocative slogans containing elements of incitement to hatred, thereby violating applicable legal provisions.

The Serbian Government's Office for Kosovo and Metohija announced that it would inform all international representatives about the detentions, describing them as a shameful and blatant act of repression by the regime of Albin Kurti.

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) told Kosovo Online that it had monitored, and continues to monitor, the activities carried out by the Kosovo authorities in connection with the Vidovdan commemoration.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo also told Kosovo Online that it had monitored developments during the Vidovdan commemoration through its regular monitoring activities and engagement with partners and relevant institutions.