Simic: The international community must react to the demolition of Serbian houses near Gazivode

Serb List Presidency member Igor Simic stated that yesterday's illegal demolition of Serbian-owned houses at Gazivode shows that Albin Kurti is continuing the expulsion of Serbs from Kosovo by using a well-established pattern in which Serbian houses and homes, built through years of hard work, are demolished without a court decision and without approval from the municipality.

Appearing on TV Pink, Simic said that the international community must respond to the situation, as it has so far failed to react at an adequate level.

"The international community is silently watching as Serbs lose their homes despite the absence of any legal proceedings. The narrative of the rule of law collapsed once again yesterday, revealing the true objective of Kurti's regime, which is to reduce the number of Serbs living in these areas. They cannot survive in Kosovo and Metohija under such conditions. Yesterday we also saw a UNMIK statement calling on the parties to engage constructively. People's homes have been demolished. How are they supposed to engage constructively? What are they expected to do? Silently watch as their homes disappear? There are no demolition orders, no decision by the Municipality of Zubin Potok, and no court ruling, because the owners of those buildings have filed a request with the court to determine the legal status of the property. How is it possible that demolitions begin in a municipality with an overwhelming Serbian majority? Does this mean that tomorrow anyone who has added an extension to their property will also become a target? The European Union, the Quint embassies, and the United States must respond to these demolitions," Simic said.

He added that the international community is aware of the problem and that, during meetings with international representatives, they had warned that Albin Kurti would not even respect his own laws.

"His goal is the persecution of Serbs. He is prepared to go all the way. International representatives have been given a mandate to protect peace and the rights of everyone, and we believe that includes the right of Serbs to live normally in Kosovo and Metohija and to protect their property," Simic said.

He added that anti-Serbian hysteria has persisted for far too long in Kosovo, as well as across the region, with the aim of dragging Serbia into a conflict at any cost.

"Kurti treats the Serbs in these areas as hostages. He often enjoys the support of international representatives who are clearly trying to pressure Belgrade into making concessions on Kosovo and Metohija, all under the pretext of protecting rights in Kosovo. Every day there are provocations and attacks. Twenty-four hours ago, the bell was removed from a church in Brnjaca in the Municipality of Orahovac. The Eparchy of Raska and Prizren reacted and reminded the public of all the problems Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija face. The Kosovo Police tried to cover it up with a statement containing falsehoods," Simic said.

He recalled the constant pressure that Serbs in Kosovo face.

"The facts are devastating. There have been numerous attacks on Serbs, their property, and also on the Serbian Orthodox Church, which shares the fate of the people. We have been living in this situation since 1999, when the international community promised to ensure the security of all Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. The importance of Lake Gazivode was recognized by President Aleksandar Vucic when he signed the Washington Agreement, with the aim of preventing situations like this, where Pristina escalates tensions on the ground through the use of force in order to drive Serbs out of these areas. Kurti wants to destroy everything that has been achieved through various agreements by denying their existence, including the Washington Agreement and those concerning the Community of Serb Municipalities," the Serb List vice president said.

Simic argued that all incidents and attacks against Serbs are not isolated events but part of a broader plan.

"These are not random incidents but systematic violence against Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and persecution that is part of a broader plan. This is the reality of how Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija live before the eyes of Europe and the world in the 21st century. There is not a single human right that is not being violated when it comes to Serbs. No rights apply. Not even the right to be presumed innocent," he concluded.

The demolition of vacation homes and houses at Lake Gazivode began yesterday morning and, according to Zubin Potok Mayor Miloš Perovic, the Municipality of Zubin Potok did not issue a permit for the operation, which was carried out without a court decision.

Regarding the case, UNMIK told Kosovo Online that it is closely monitoring developments related to the demolition of buildings at Lake Gazivode and is in contact with all relevant parties, including the affected individuals, in order to gain a better understanding of the situation.

UNMIK also stated that it encourages all relevant parties to engage constructively, in accordance with the principles of proportionality and non-discrimination, while ensuring full respect for and consistent implementation of the applicable legal framework.