UNMIK/PR/1814
UNMIK is concerned by the recent violent events in the Pristina city centre over the past two days. Such acts have nothing to do with the exercise of the democratic right to express legitimate grievances. It is the responsibility of the Kosovo Police to ensure public safety and to take appropriate action against individuals who abuse the inherent right to peaceful protest by committing inexcusable acts of violence and vandalism. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Kosovo, Farid Zarif, commends the restrained and proportionate response of the Kosovo Police to the acts of lawlessness by some individuals among the protestors, and calls on the residents of Pristina to cooperate with the Police in its effort to restore calm and order. For its part, UNMIK has been and will remain in contact with various Kosovo actors to help reduce tensions and encourage constructive discourse.
