Milicevic: With the ethnic composition of the police, Pristina is making a clear departure from the Brussels Agreement in the north

Miodrag Milicevic, Executive Director of the NGO "Aktiv," has stated that the authorities in Pristina are attempting to make a clear departure from the Brussels Agreement in northern Kosovo, which is most evident in the mono-ethnic composition of the police and the apparent distrust of the local population.

Commenting on the €1.1 million tender for the construction of a new police station in Zubin Potok, Milicevic noted that while the procedures and mandate of the police should not be in question, the key issue is the change in the ethnic composition of the police in the north and the trust the local population has in it.

"It's not just about a single police station, if we're talking about the most recent tender for the construction of the police station in Zubin Potok, nor the mandate the police are supposed to carry out. That is unquestionable and defined by law. The more significant issue is the trust the local population has in the police. And the most important question is the change in the ethnic composition of the police in northern Kosovo, something our organization has been pointing out for the last year and a half to two years. Simply put, the ethnic makeup has been entirely changed, and it contradicts what was agreed upon in Brussels. What we are seeing is an effort, at least from the Kosovan side, to distance themselves from the Brussels Agreement and from what was signed and agreed upon," Milicevic told Kosovo Online.

Miodrag Milicevic adds that Pristina is trying to present the situation on the ground as different from previous periods.

For this reason, he emphasizes that there is no need to overthink what the Serbs in northern Kosovo think or hope for regarding this issue.

"Reality constantly reminds us how poor the security situation is. Today, unlike two years ago, we have seven permanent police bases, specifically special police bases. We have a significant numerical presence of that same police, which is linked to numerous incidents," Milicevic highlights.

He also notes that there is widespread concern, not only due to constant detentions or arrests.

"There is general concern, especially recently, from the younger female population of our community, who are increasingly reporting harassment, whether from known civilians or, as there have been instances, from members of the Kosovo police," Milicevic states.

He also mentions the increasing number of arrests of political activists.

"These are all situations that fall into a gray area and require an urgent response, but that response hasn't come. If you ask me who should respond, the response should first come from the international community, which, in my personal belief, is now obligated to publicly state whether the Brussels and Ohrid agreements are still in effect, and if so, what the next steps are towards de-escalation. This was talked about a lot last year, but little or nothing has been done," Milicevic concludes.