Hajdari: Use of symbols must comply with the Constitution and Laws

Deputy Ombudsman of Kosovo, Niman Hajdari, stated in response to the Basic Court in Pristina's decision to ban Serbian flags and national symbols during the Vidovdan celebration, that the use of such symbols must be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and the applicable laws.

“This matter is regulated by the Constitution and the laws, and I believe that government authorities should act accordingly,” Hajdari told Kosovo Online when asked about the ban on Serbian symbols.

The Basic Court in Pristina ruled that the decision made by the Municipality of Gracanica in June of last year—to celebrate Vidovdan with the use of Serbian state symbols and flags—constituted an “overreach of the competences defined by law.”

“Municipalities do not have the authority to declare special public holidays that involve the use of state or national symbols in public spaces,” the court’s decision states.