Kosovo

Human rights defenders in Kosovo are subject to threats and intimidation. Ethnic tensions and politically motivated violence between Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians remain high. Debates around the status of Kosovo have been dominating the political and human rights agenda for the past decade. During this time, Human rights defenders who advocated for status in ways that were critical of or somewhat distant from the predominant view were often silenced and marginalized. Other defenders were forced to self-censor their activities and positions, especially those critical of the authorities, for fear of being accused of endangering decisions on status. In addition, many NGOs have been divided along ethnic lines resulting in an overall lack of common human rights objectives. Organizations working on the rights of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian minorities are particularly affected by these divisions and feel excluded from decision-making processes at the political level as they “do not belong,” Human rights defenders and journalists investigating human rights violations committed by the police in Kosovo in 1998-99 as well as abuses committed during the Milosevic regime have been the target for attacks.

LGBT HRDs have also been subject to threats and physical attacks. One organization protecting the rights of LGBT chose not to register as an association for fear of being then identified as individuals and harassed or attacked. Another LGBT HRD was forced to flee the country following a number of serious threats against his life.

Journalists in Kosovo have reportedly avoided covering sensitive issues for fear of marginalisation, stigmatisation and unemployment. Journalists investigating organised crime have been subjected to threats and attacks - one journalist was killed, presumably in connection with investigative work on organised crime. The perpetrators of the attack have reportedly not yet been brought to justice.

In her 2007 Country Visit the UN SRSG expressed her concern at the overall climate for HRDs in Kosovo in which criticism, protest and the monitoring of public authorities are actively being discouraged and are resulting in serious obstacles in the development of a strong and vibrant HRD community.