UNMIK/PR/302
PRISTINA— Kosovo’s Interim Administrative Council has condemned the violence in the region which left six people dead in one night alone. But its condemnation has also taken in the apparent increase in politically motivated violence.
Over the last week three members of one Roma family were killed in a booby-trap explosion; a device had been planted on their property near Lipjan and one of the family hit the trip wire. Later that same evening a 15 year-old boy was killed in the nearby village of Magura. And a few hours later a Kosovo Albanian couple were ambushed and killed in their car near Pec/Peja.
There have also been attacks on Kosovo’s politicians, which is increasingly worrying as the elections draw close.
The IAC said in its statement that the attacks are “a dark reminder that intolerance against minority communities, vigilante justice and now perhaps – political intimidation – continue to undermine Kosovo’s peace and to threaten its future.”
It also used the opportunity to recommit itself to non-violence and rule of law – as well as an open election campaign.
The meeting also endorsed a regulation which would bring English into Kosovo’s courtrooms. This would happen where an international judge or prosecutor is involved in the proceedings. But it would not supersede Albanian or Serbian, which will continue to be used alongside English.
Finally, the meeting discussed the development of the Joint Interim Administrative Structure (JIAS). It was a chance to look at the achievements and problems faced by the 20 departments. But it also was a chance to focus on very practical issues such as staffing and office space.