Appeal for peace of the Serbs from Kosovo sent to the US and the EU

Deeply concerned by the repressive and aggressive action of the Government of Kosovo and the behavior of the Special Police Forces in the north of Kosovo, which can escalate to unforeseeable consequences for the peace and security of citizens, and permanently damage the possibilities of reconciliation and coexistence between the Albanians and Serbs in this area, writes at the beginning of the Appeal for Peace which was signed by 160 Serbian intellectuals from all over Kosovo.

The appeal condemns all forms of violence against citizens, journalists, and members of the Security Forces in recent events.

"Political problems cannot and must not be solved by police actions but in a constructive dialogue at the negotiating table. Taught by the lessons of history that the institutional apparatus under the control of one ethnic community cannot and must not manage the lives of other ethnic communities because democracy in post-conflict multi-ethnic societies implies the division of power and responsibility, as well as respect for human rights and freedoms, certainly not the aggressive behavior of the security and public authorities of the majority community against the minorities. Emphasizing that coexistence between the Albanians and Serbs can only be built on relationships of trust and mutual respect, and not on repression, violence, and dehumanization to which the Serbs are exposed daily, both through the statements of the highest officials, as well as through the reporting of parts of the media and negative campaigns on social networks. Appealing that the Serbs in Kosovo, as a community as well as its members, are daily exposed to attempts at delegitimization, dehumanization, labeling, and criminalization in the public appearances of government officials, but also at meetings with international representatives, presenting the legitimate views of the Serbian community in Kosovo as an instrumentalization by the Government of Serbia, which aims to disavow international partners and the public," the appeal reads.

It is further pointed out that democracy was not built by elections in containers, and with public office holders who had no legitimacy among the people, but intended to rule over the citizens of other ethnic communities by force of arms and police repression.

"Underscoring that good governance and the rule of law are not the same - while artificial intelligence can also answer the questions of the rule of law, good governance is a far more complex, delicate process that requires a leadership talent; Recognizing that the Government of Kosovo and its institutions daily violate the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the Serbs; they do not implement the decisions of the Constitutional Court nor the obligations assumed from the negotiation process with Serbia; Determined to stay and live with dignity in these areas, in coexistence and mutual respect with Albanians and other ethnic communities, but also proud of themselves, their history, church, cultural and religious heritage. Wanting to believe in the sincerity of the words of representatives of the international community, especially those from the European Union and the Quint countries who emphasize support for multi-ethnicity and peaceful coexistence among ethnic communities in Kosovo".

"We, the undersigned members of the Serbian community from all parts of Kosovo, are united in the above-mentioned demands that we address to the representatives of the European Union, the United States of America, Germany, France, Italy, and Great Britain because we believe that only they can preserve peace in Kosovo and exert decisive pressure on the government of Albin Kurti to implement the following measures that are necessary in order to preserve peace and create conditions for the implementation of the recently reached Agreement on Normalization.

Requests from the Appeal for Peace

• Withdrawal of all special police units from the north of Kosovo, from municipalities, newly built bases, but also from checkpoints, because their presence is contrary to Articles 128 and 61 of the Constitution of Kosovo and point 9 of the Brussels Agreement from 2013. The behavior of these policemen causes fear and unrest among the local population and represents a threat to peace, and the lack of reaction to their illegal deployment in the north of Kosovo, on forcibly and illegally confiscated land, has sent the wrong message that the militarization of this area is allowed.
• Abandonment of municipal buildings and other public facilities in the administrative centers in the north of Kosovo by political representatives of Kosovo Albanians who do not have the democratic legitimacy to represent local communities in those areas, and ensure unhindered access to existing local administration officials to their offices until the organization of new elections.
• The deployment of KFOR and EULEX units in the north of Kosovo in order to preserve peace until the moment of the unconditional return of the local Serbs to the police, which must also include strong guarantees for respecting the specific competencies of the Regional Police Directorate - North, which are defined by the Brussels Agreement and which have been derogated from decisions of the Government of Kosovo from the end of 2021.
• Implementation of Article 7 of the Agreement on Normalization, which guarantees the right to self-government in Serbian communities in Kosovo and the formalization of the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
• Formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities in accordance with the Brussels Agreement from 2013 and the General Principles for the Formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities from 2015.
• After adjusting the legal framework for the formation of the Community, organize democratic elections in the municipalities in the north of Kosovo and create conditions for the unimpeded and unconditional return of the Serbs to the institutions.
• Implementation of the decision of the Constitutional Court from May 2016 confirming the ownership of Visoki Decani Monastery over 24 hectares of land.
• Resolving all cases of attacks on the Serbs and their property, including illegal expropriation of land, recent incidents in which firearms were used by members of the security services in Kosovo, as well as strengthening security measures in Serbian areas in Kosovo;
• Stop demonizing the Serbs in public appearances by the President of Kosovo, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, and other senior government officials from the Albanian community.

Signatories of the Appeal for Peace

1. Dragisa Mijacic / InTER / Zubin Potok
2. Jovana Radosavljevic / New social initiative / Leposavic
3. Milica Andrić Rakic / New social initiative / Zubin Potok
4. Miodrag Milicevic / Aktiv / Kosovska Mitrovica
5. Dusan Radakovic / ACDC / Kosovska Mitrovica
6. Miroslav Ivanovic / retired judge / Kosovska Mitrovica
7. Nenad Todorovic/ theater director / Kosovska Mitrovica
8. Ljubomir Pantovic / lawyer / Kosovska Mitrovica
9. Dr. Nebojsa R. Mitic / professor at the Faculty of Medicine University of Pristina / Kosovska Mitrovica
11. Dr. Biljana Jaredic / Zvecan
12. Momcilo Trajkovic / President of the Serbian National Forum / Gracanica
13. Dr. Zvonko Radosavljevic / chief of surgery of Clinical Hospital Center Kosovska Mitrovica/ Leposavic
14. Dr. Igor Damjanovic / professor of acting, Faculty of Arts University of Pristina / Belgrade, displaced
15. Aleksandar Arsenijevic / president of the Civic Initiatine of Serbian Survival / Zvecan
16. Radmila Kapetanovic / Circle of Serbian Sisters / Zubin Potok
17. Jasmina Zivković Jovanovic / Association of Families of the Missing - Strpce/ Strpce
18. Goran Avramovic / editor of RTV KIM / Gracanica
19. Predrag Miljkovic / lawyer / Kosovska Mitrovica
20. Zorica Vorgucic / editor of RTV KIM / Gracanica
21. Darko Dimitrijevic / editor of Radio Gorazdevac / Gorazdevac
22. Andjelka Cup / journalist / Gracanica
23. Ivan Nikolic / CSD / Gracanica
24. Ruzica Simic / Women's rights / Kosovska Mitrovica
25. Marko Jaksic / graduate lawyer and political activist / Kosovska Mitrovica
26. Sasa Lazarevic Kudra / Vocal soloist / Zubin Potok
27. Ana Marija Ivkovic / journalist of Alternativna TV / Zvecan
28. Milos Subotic / Law graduate / Kosovska Mitrovica
29. Stefan Veljkovic / socio-political activist / Kosovska Mitrovica
30. Marko Milenkovic / New social initiative / Leposavic
31. Ivan Vuckovic / journalist / Leposavic
32. Stefan Kalaba / forestry engineer / Zvecan
33. Nenad Maksimovic / CPT / Gracanica
34. Aleksandar Rapajic / Nansen Dialogue / Severna Mitrovica
35. Rajko Jovanovic / CSD / Gracanica
36. Aleksandar Velic / CSD / Gracanica
37. Vladimir Radosavljevic / professor / Leposavic
38. Milan Dobric / graphic designer / Kosovska Mitrovica
39. Danilo Djuric / climbing instructor / Osojane
40. Jelena Jevremovic / professor / Leposavic
41. Bojana Manitasevic / CSD / Gracanica
42. Nevena Radosavljevic / peace activist and researcher / Leposavic
43. Suzana Vukasinovic / financial technician / Laplje Selo
44. Mladena Vukasinovic / Laplje Selo
45. Veljko Samardzic / CSI / Pec
46. Biljana Stankovic / Laplje Selo
47. Aleksandar Tanasković / Eco Lepo / Leposavic
48. Vladan Pavić / Tone master of the National Theater of Pristina in Gracanica / Kosovo
Mitrovica
49. Vladislav Djerkovic / administration of the National Theater of Pristina in Gracanica / Leposavic
50. Isidora Todorovic / student of world literature in Belgrade / Kosovska Mitrovica
51. Nebojsa Djordjevic / actor of the National Theater of Pristina in Gracanica/ Valjevo, displaced
52. Ivana Simic / organizer of the National Theater of Pristina in Gracanica / Belgrade, displaced
53. Verica Nesovic / graduate economist / Leposavic
54. Verka Jovanovic / business sector / Leposavic
55. Slobodan Pejanovic / master historian / Leposavic
56. Gordana Djoric / Business Women’s Association Avenija / Gracanica
57. Andjela Milosavljevic / graduate pharmacist / Leposavic
58. Ivan Milosavljevic / computer science graduate / Leposavic
59. Nenad Jovanovic / entrepreneur/ Leposavic
60. Srdjan Simonovic / Human Center Mitrovica / Kosovska Mitrovica
61. Veroljub Petronic / Human Center Mitrovica / Kosovska Mitrovica
62. Dejan Nedeljkovic / NGO Zeleno srce / Kosovska Mitrovica
63. Miodrag Andric / eng. organizations of work in retirement / Zubin Potok
64. Vesna Jovanovic / professor of Serbian language and literature / Partes
65. Ruzica Lukic / retired teacher / Partes
66. Dobrivoje Jovanovic / retired teacher / Partes
67. Zorica Stankovic / housewife / Partes
68. Oliver Vujovic / Forum for cooperation and multi-ethnic society / Gracanica
69. Milivoje Raicevic / Master of Public Administration / Kosovska Mitrovica
70. Nikola Todic / New social initiative/ Leposavic
71. Slobodan Stosic / ACDC / Kosovska Mitrovica
72. Vladan Trific / Institute for Public Research / Gracanica
73. Ivana Milosavljevic / Association of families of the missing - Strpce/ Strpce
74. Jovana Cvetnic / graduate journalist / Zubin Potok
75. Sasa ilic / Center for Peace and Tolerance / Gracanica
76. Nemanja Nestorovic / professor of English language and literature / Kosovska Mitrovica
77. Ivan Stojkovic / organizer of the National Theater of Pristina / Gracanica
78. Sladjana Kostic / B.Sc. economist / Zubin Potok
79. Uros Branovic / private entrepreneur / Leposavic
80. Igor Dasic / social worker / Zvecan
81. Olivera Manojlovic / professor of Serbian language / Zubin Potok
82. Marko Radojevic / biology professor / Zubin Potok
83. Caslav Tomovic / B.Sc. Eng. technologies / Veli Breg, Zubin Potok
84. Boban Petrovic / professor / Gracanica
85. Milena Kasalovic / professor of the Serbian language / Zubin Potok
86. Oliver Vezmar / B.Sc. Eng. electrical engineering / Zubin Potok
87. Ljubisa Mijacic / B.Sc. Eng. arch. / Zubin Potok
88. Bojana Vukadinovic / B.Sc. master psychologist / Kosovska Mitrovica
89. Nemanja Jovanovic / professor of informatics / Zubin Potok
90. Natasa Trifunovic / B.Sc. Eng. arch. / Zubin Potok
91. Dragana Dobrosavljevic / Association of Families of the Missing - Strpce/ Strpce
92. Martin Aleksic / professor of mathematics / Zubin Potok
93. Dusan Bazovic / medical student / Kosovska Mitrovica
94. Zoran Milic / professor of mathematics / Zubin Potok
95. Nikola Spasojevic / professor of mathematics / Zubin Potok
96. Sanja Krtinic / civil activist/pedagogue / Kosovska Mitrovica
97. Bojana Miletic / biology professor / Zubin Potok
98. Sonja Bozovic / professor of Serbian language / Zubin Potok
99. Danijela Milosavljevic / professor of Serbian language / Kosovska Mitrovica
100. Radosava Djordjevic / professor of chemistry / Zubin Potok
101. Dragica Popovic / doctor of medicine / Kosovska Mitrovica
102. Dragica Tomovic / professor of sociology / Zubin Potok
103. Sladjana Vulovic / professor / Zubin Potok
104. Natasa Bjelica / English teacher / Kosovska Mitrovica
105. Aleksandra Savic / professor of geography / Zubin Potok
106. Zlatko Stojanovic / Laplje Selo
107. Miljan Bozovic / economist / Zubin Potok
108. Milos Mitrovic / professor of French / Zubin Potok
109. Marija Trikos / professor of geography / Kosovska Mitrovica
110. Sanja Sovrlic / journalist / Leposavic
111. Nedeljko Mijacic / pensioner / Zubin Potok
112. Vasilije Markovic / retired B.Sc. Eng. electrical engineering, former factory director
SIMPO in Zubin Potok / Zubin Potok
113. Sladjana Vukasinovic / Laplje Selo
114. Djordje Jelic / electrical computer technician / Zubin Potok
115. Aleksandar Arsic / B.Sc. Eng. electrical engineering / Kosovska Mitrovica
116. Dragisa Kostic / InTER / Zubin Potok
117. Ana Cup Markovic / journalist Gracanica Online and Prva TV / Gracanica
118. Bojan Milosavljevic / Action for Social and Economic Development / Leposavic
119. Branislav Vasovic / Youth Cultural Center / Leposavic
120. Mirjana Obradovic / pensioner / Zubin Potok
121. Jelena Prica / tax administration employee / Kosovska Mitrovica
122. Milica Prica / philologist and designer / Kosovska Mitrovica
123. Marija Simunovic / agricultural engineer / Zubin Potok
124. Anastasija Rakic / agricultural engineer / Zubin Potok
125. Vasiljka Voinovic / Svet Andjela / Kosovska Mitrovica
126. Marija Milenkovic / InTER / Zubin Potok
127. Katarina Milosavljevic / student / Veliko Rudare, Zvecan
128. Aleksandra Ficovic / student / Veliko Rudare, Zvecan
129. Dobrinka Obradovic / construction technician / Zubin Potok
130. Misel Koneski / Master of international management/ Leposavic
131. Milica Milenkovic / civil engineer / Zubin Potok
132. Sasa Jovanovic / Association of Families of the Missing - Strpce/ Strpce
133. Verica Mijacic / civic education teacher / Zubin Potok
134. Milica Markovic / biology teacher / Zubin Potok
135. Dragana Vicentijevic / chemistry teacher / Zubin Potok
136. Andrijana Vlaskovic / economist / Zubin Potok
137. Snezana Peric Bogdanovic / Project coordinator / Gracanica
138. Aleksandar Ratkovic / B.Sc. Eng. arch. / Kosovska Mitrovica
139. Danilo Radovic / specialist vocational engineer. informatics and computer science /
Kosovska Mitrovica
140. Mirjana Bojovic / lawyer / Kosovska Mitrovica
141. Radoljub Jaksic / plant electrical technician / Zubin Potok
142. Milena Dabetic / psychologist, European certified psychotherapist / Kosovo
Mitrovica
143. Nikolina Klajic / student of political science / Kosovska Mitrovica
144. Marina Milentijevic / journalism student / Zvecan
145. Vladislav Cup / media official / Gracanica
146. Milena Maksimovic / media worker / Radevo
147. Miladin Kostic / pensioner / Zubin Potok
148. Dimitrije Mirkovic / media columnist / Laplje Selo
149. Zorica Obradovic / student / Zubin Potok
150. Nikola Milosavljevic / media official / Gracanica
151. Nenad Cvetnic / medical technician / Zubin Potok
152. Bozidarka Zivkovic / Association of Families of the Missing - Strpce/ Strpce
153. Dragan Pesakovic / civil engineer / Leposavic
154. Suncica Andrejevic / photojournalist Alternativna TV / Ugljare - Kosovo Polje
155. Marina Bozovic / professor of geography / Zubin Potok
156. Vlado Vukomanovic / economic technician / Zubin Potok
157. Nemanja Bozovic / graduate pedagogue / Kosovska Mitrovica
158. Vesna Kostic / teacher, pedagogue / Zubin Potok
159. Violeta Marinkovic / graduate economist / Zubin Potok
160. Nemanja Obradovic / professional engineer of electrical engineering and computing / Zubin Potok