NGOs from the north: Ethnic balance within the police in northern Kosovo is the only sustainable solution

Civil society organizations from northern Kosovo stated that achieving ethnic balance within the Kosovo Police in the four northern municipalities is the only sustainable long-term solution.

"Continuous deployment of police officers to communities that perceive them as 'enemies' carries significant risks that must be recognized and addressed by relevant institutions and the international community. Therefore, measures must carefully consider the complexity of this issue. Ultimately, it is important to acknowledge that the only sustainable long-term solution is achieving ethnic balance within the Kosovo Police in the four northern municipalities. This will require substantial engagement from both sides in the normalization dialogue, focusing on fulfilling obligations outlined in Article 6 of the Agreement on the Path to Normalization between Kosovo and Serbia, which calls for enhanced cooperation in various areas through supplementary agreements," the statement emphasized.

The statement also calls for consistent enforcement of existing legal provisions, with measures ensuring compliance with international standards, balancing freedom of expression, and maintaining the impartial role of the police.

"We acknowledge the willingness of EULEX to engage in resolving this issue and hope that the findings of their monitoring, as well as the results of the investigation in the Subotic case, will be included in their next public report. We remain committed to supporting this process and fostering constructive dialogue to ensure that Kosovo Police officers uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, both online and in their daily conduct," the statement concluded.

It is further stated that NGOs from the north welcomed the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ recognition of challenges related to the promotion of nationalism by Kosovo Police officers, a problem detailed in their report published on December 13, 2024.

"We are ready to assist in drafting a robust regulatory framework to prevent such practices. We believe this framework will complement ongoing efforts to maintain professionalism and impartiality within the Kosovo Police, ensuring that its officers serve all communities equally. However, we stress that accountability for behavior already deemed illegal under the current framework is essential. In this regard, we expect investigations by the Kosovo Police Inspectorate and appropriate sanctions for officers who have violated procedures," the statement said.

The initiative's signatories include the New Social Initiative, the Center for Affirmative Social Actions (CASA), the Institute for Territorial Economic Development (InTER), the Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture (ACDC), and Aktiv.