Press Release

We strongly condemn the detention of Jovana Radosavljević at the police checkpoint on the Bistrica Bridge. This police action undoubtedly contributes to the growing distrust of the Serbian community toward the security structures in northern Kosovo, as the number of incidents has drastically increased in recent months. We recall that in early September, members of the Kosovo Police brutally beat four young men on the promenade in North Mitrovica, and Miloš Subotić was handcuffed and beaten in a police station. The detention of Jovana Radosavljević aligns with a pattern of repressive behavior by the Kosovo Police in northern Kosovo, which, according to a recent statement by the U.S. Embassy, has been instrumentalized by the Government of Kosovo.

We demand that the Government of Kosovo put an end to the repressive behavior of Kosovo Police officers and find a way to reinstate Serbian police officers to their positions in northern Kosovo. Additionally, we demand that all police officers, including members of special police units, be equipped with body cameras, which would significantly enhance security and trust within the Serbian community toward police operations.

We call on the international community to pay attention to the conduct of Kosovo Police officers in northern Kosovo and to prevent the repressive use of police forces against members of the Serbian community. It is particularly essential to preserve peace in the coming months, as we approach the New Year and Christmas holidays, as well as the parliamentary election campaign period.

To improve security, we appeal to members of the Serbian community to equip their vehicles with dash cameras that can automatically record any inappropriate behavior by Kosovo Police officers.

Signatories:
Institute for Territorial Economic Development – InTER
NGO CASA
NGO ACDC
NGO Aktiv
New Social Initiative – NSI