Simonovic Bratic: Serbs in Kosovo are suffering daily — a life Europe has not seen since the Second World War

A member of Serbia’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Dunja Simonovic Bratic, stated that Serbs in Kosovo are facing conditions of life that Europe has not witnessed since the Second World War, which is why it is necessary to continuously highlight the many violations of their fundamental human rights.

“In Kosovo and Metohija, Serbs are suffering in every respect, because the life they are forced to live is truly something Europe has not seen since the Second World War — and their struggle is heroic. What we are trying to do, through the Council of Europe and by writing to the Commissioner, are unfortunately the only ways we have to react,” Simonovic Bratic said, commenting on the letter sent by several non-governmental organizations from Kosovo to the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner, Michael O’Flaherty.

The letter states that “serious and systematic violations of rights” are being carried out in Kosovo against non-majority communities, particularly the Serbian community.

In an interview for Kosovo Online, Simonovic Bratic expressed optimism that the European Commissioner would respond to this letter, just as he reacted on April 6 to the arrest of 16 pilgrims in Prizren.

“At that time, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe was in session, and the Commissioner for Human Rights presented his annual report. I took the opportunity — I was fortunate enough — to directly raise a question regarding those arrests and detentions, and he gave a very correct and forthcoming answer, even announcing his intention to visit. The very next day he contacted our mission in Strasbourg and expressed a strong desire to come and see the situation himself,” she said.

She explained that the Commissioner’s visit was postponed due to the non-formation of institutions in Kosovo, but emphasized that it remains important to engage with him.

“I believe he truly wishes to help,” Simonovic Bratic stressed.

She underlined that Serbs in Kosovo must address all EU institutions, particularly in view of the annual reports that are “closely scrutinized.”

“If there is not enough initiative on our part, the Council of Europe will rely on the report prepared by the European Commission. And when you read that report on the human rights situation in Kosovo and Metohija, it looks as if everything there is ‘flowers and springtime,’” she pointed out.

She added that the reaction of the non-governmental sector in Kosovo is of key importance, as it is recognized in the EU as “an essential part of civil society.”

Simonovic Bratic explained that Serbs in Kosovo “must necessarily expect” reactions from Europe, but that it is crucial for the European Commissioner himself to “offer some response,” since he will be obliged to include it in his annual report.

She emphasized the need for Serbs in Kosovo — despite their “legitimate resistance” toward EU representatives — to present concrete examples and evidence of their endangered position, because they are confronted with the “falsification, concealment, and embellishment” of reality by the government of Albin Kurti.

She therefore stressed that if the European Commissioner does not visit Kosovo, Serbs must remain persistent and ensure their voices reach him.

In that way, she explained, the Council of Europe will have a complete picture — especially when considering Kosovo’s applications for membership in the Council of Europe and other institutions.

“It is very important to use all available mechanisms. Unlike us, Albin Kurti’s government makes maximum use of every possible resource to communicate with EU representatives, the Council of Europe, and all those involved in addressing these issues. This is why a proactive role on our part is essential — one I fully support — and I believe the Commissioner will react in such a way that, if nothing else, it will be included in the report that will later be used when Kosovo seeks membership in the Council of Europe and in other institutions. And in every one of those discussions it is necessary to emphasize the daily violations, the conditions in which our people live, as well as everything that Kurti’s government has failed to implement, starting with the Brussels Agreement and onwards,” Simonovic Bratic concluded.