Panel Discussion in North Mitrovica: Basic living conditions for Serbian children in Kosovo are being violated

A panel discussion was held today in the amphitheater of the Faculty of Technical Sciences in North Mitrovica on the occasion of International Children's Day. It was emphasized that the basic living conditions for Serbian children in Kosovo are being violated and that none of the numerous international conventions are being respected.

The event began with a five-minute film reminding attendees of many events from the recent past where not only were children's rights violated, but their lives were often endangered.

In the presence of a large number of Serbs from across Kosovo, the panel featured speeches by educators and parents whose children were beaten or arrested.

Slađana Rasic, director of the Agricultural School in Lipljan, explained that children in central Kosovo live lives filled with challenges, anxieties, and fear, and that both children and parents are doing their best to ensure a life worthy of dignity.

"Life for children in Lipljan is harder than for children living here. Traveling to school is our biggest challenge—it’s unsafe, so teachers have to escort children to and from school. We all know what children's rights are, including the right to non-discrimination, but unfortunately, our children are discriminated against. Despite our efforts to provide them with a normal life, it becomes harder every day.

"We received textbooks, but we had to find creative ways to get them to the children. Even picture books are banned—they’re not textbooks, just children's manuals. Why do picture books bother anyone? As an agricultural school, we don’t have access to literature left in Lipljan, and we’ve even heard reports that Albanians are tearing up those books but refuse to give them to us," Rasic said.

Zorica Jovanovic, director of the "Nasa radost" kindergarten in Leposavic, said fear dominates discussions about children's lives in this northernmost municipality in Kosovo.

The kindergarten courtyard was the site of an intrusion by Kosovo's special unit, ROSU, in December last year, which she described as traumatic.

"Fear has become a defining feature of life for our children in Kosovo and Metohija. The basic rights of our children—and us—are the right to life and growth, and we don’t have these rights. It’s hardest today to be a child in Kosovo and Metohija and to claim the rights guaranteed by international law. Fear has become a daily emotion. Everything happening on the ground disrupts our work and instills fear in the children," Jovanovic said, recalling the wounding of young Stefan, who was present in the hall.

"Trauma affects all spheres of our lives. Stefan, unfortunately, is not the only child who is afraid; there are many traumatized children," she added.

Natasa Bulatovic, the panel's moderator, noted that invitations were sent to all relevant international institutions in Kosovo, but none were present. She asked Vukasin Mitrovic, principal of the elementary school in Gojbulja, how he interpreted their absence.

"The absence of international representatives is expected; they are never present when needed. The incident where my seals were confiscated was stressful for me, but thank God no children were present. Every institution needs a head and a seal to certify documents, issue diplomas, and other necessities. They framed it as document forgery. We’ll see what happens next," Mitrovic said, recounting the ongoing challenges in obtaining textbooks and educational materials.

He also recalled frequent attacks on the school, broken windows, and graffiti. He highlighted a recent incident where Nikola Peric was beaten by Albanian children, forcing parents to escort their children to and from school.

Mara Jovic, a renowned educator and mother of a boy who was arrested and brutally beaten in North Mitrovica, shared her experience, expressing disbelief, helplessness, sorrow, and pain.

"My child, and others, are from good families, successful students with no records. I accidentally saw part of the footage of my son's arrest. I wish I hadn’t seen it; it was better not to know. I avoid walking past the pizzeria where they were beaten," Jovic said, emphasizing that schools operate under challenging conditions.

Marija Radosavljevic, mother of Kristijan and Dara, who were beaten by ROSU officers in June 2023, described the collective trauma experienced by all Serbian families.

"Every child living in Kosovo and Metohija is brave. Walking peacefully through life under these conditions is very difficult. I worry every time they go out," Radosavljevic said, urging for children’s safety and justice.

The panel concluded with an appeal to international organizations, highlighting that Serbian children in Kosovo are not protected. Despite the challenges, there were mentions of bright examples—children succeeding in competitions across Europe.

After the panel, participants marched through the streets of North Mitrovica, ending near the main bridge on the Ibar River. Dara Radosavljevic read an open letter about the status of Serbian children in Kosovo, calling for a peaceful and safe childhood for all.

"We want carefree childhoods, peaceful growth, and safe lives—everything denied to us today. Let the world hear us: let us grow in peace and freedom, which we wish for all children in the world," Radosavljevic concluded.