Stambolic: The worst form of apartheid is in action; international community must pressure Pristina

Sava Stambolic, advisor to the Prime Minister of Serbia, stated to Kosovo Online that the prevention of Serb List’s participation in the February 9 elections was expected and, as he said, it represents the implementation of the worst form of apartheid. He emphasized that Serbia will do everything in its power to inform international actors and strongly insist that they pressure Pristina.

“This is merely a continuation of Albin Kurti’s chauvinistic, utterly destructive, and malicious policies that he has pursued since coming to power in Pristina. As President Vucic noted, this is something we expected. Albin Kurti travels to various European capitals attempting to present himself as a liberal politician who values human rights and the rule of law, while in reality, he is implementing the worst form of apartheid in the territory where he holds certain authority. This is something all normal countries around the world condemn,” Stambolic said.

He stated that it is disheartening that, after 25 years, the banning of a party from participating in elections is the "ultimate outcome" of all the efforts of the UN, OSCE, and EU in Kosovo.

“This is absolutely unacceptable, something that Serbia strongly condemns, and it should not be allowed if the international community wishes to maintain any credibility or continue to claim it upholds certain values,” Stambolic emphasized.

According to him, all representatives of the Serb List have shown unwavering commitment in their fight for the Serbian people in Kosovo.

“They will certainly not stop using terms such as the full name of our southern province, Kosovo and Metohija, nor will they abandon all legal and other means to defend their right to participate in elections, and we fully expect all international partners to condemn Pristina’s actions,” he said.

Stambolic expects that any reversal of this decision could only occur under external pressure on Pristina’s administration.

“The Republic of Serbia will do everything within its power to ensure that international actors are properly informed about this issue and to insist strongly on applying pressure to Pristina to enable the Serb List’s participation in the elections, which is the bare minimum of democratic procedures and standards,” Stambolic underscored.

According to him, such a decision should follow, despite the fact that there are many within the international community, as he put it, who are maliciously unwilling to help or who tacitly or openly support Kurti.