Office for Kosovo and Metohija on garage demolition: Lack of the rule of law, Pristina endangers the existential rights of Serbs

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija condemned the demolition of garages in North Mitrovica, stating that such a move shows an absence of the rule of law in Kosovo and that the authorities in Pristina are endangering the property and existential rights of the Serbian people.

As stated by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, attempts by the authorities in Pristina to take over and reduce the competences of the local self-government in North Mitrovica are unacceptable.

“The unlawful and high-handed demolition of private garages owned by Serbs in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica demonstrates a complete absence of the rule of law in Kosovo and Metohija, where Pristina’s arbitrariness directly threatens the property and existential rights of the Serbian people. The demolition of private garages was carried out without informing or obtaining the consent of the Serbian Municipality of Kosovska Mitrovica and its local leadership, which was legitimately elected by an absolute majority of the Serbian people. Attempts by the authorities in Pristina to disregard, take over, remove, or reduce the competences of this local self-government, where Serbs form the majority, are unacceptable,” the statement said.

The Office also rejected the stated reasons for the demolition, that the land is privately owned by the company Trepca South, saying that these are excuses that do not reflect the situation on the ground, given that the owners of these garages possess documentation of property rights, and that some of the demolished structures were built more than five decades ago.

“The fact that this action was carried out suddenly, in the early morning hours, with the assistance of a large number of members of the so-called Kosovo police indicates the political background of this, yet another in a series of violent and unlawful activities by Pristina aimed at the survival and disenfranchisement of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija,” the Office stated.

They note that this action represents a dangerous precedent, while describing the passivity of international representatives, who they say have been informed about the issue, as concerning.

“With this unlawful seizure, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija will inform all international representatives, as such actions by Pristina represent a dangerous precedent and a violation even of Pristina’s own regulations, which are openly disregarded whenever it is deemed necessary to target the Serbian people. We emphasize that the passivity and inadequate response of international representatives, who have been informed from the very beginning by local leadership about this problem and Pristina’s dangerous intentions, are very concerning,” the statement said.

This morning, shortly before 7 a.m., the demolition of garages owned by Serbs, located near the detention center in North Mitrovica, began. The municipal inspectorate did not approve the demolition, and the Mayor of North Mitrovica, Milan Radojevic, stated that we are witnessing a violation of the law, while the police are taking over executive authority. As he announced, the Municipality will turn to the prosecution regarding this matter.