STATEMENT BY CAROLINE ZIADEH, SPECIAL REREPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFING ON UNMIK
New York
22 APRIL 2024
It is my honour and privilege to brief the Security Council on the latest developments in Kosovo. I note that this is my second briefing this year, given the extraordinary meeting held on 8 February (see S/PV.9545). The Secretary-General’s report before members (S/2024/282) covers the main developments from 19 September through 15 March. Allow me therefore both to update members on significant developments since then and to offer a few observations of the situation in the wider perspective.
I have held many consultations with political actors in Pristina and Belgrade, with religious leaders, civil society organizations and with our main international partners on the ground. One of the key common observations is dissatisfaction with the level of progress being achieved through political dialogue and the direct effects that has on the security situation. The level of mistrust, unfortunately, remains high and must be addressed. During recent months, tensions have simmered, with one major explanation being an inability to address long-standing issues through adequate communication and dialogue, whether that be between Pristina and Belgrade or between the Kosovo Serb communities and the Pristina central authority.
Over several months, sustained efforts have been focused on resolving the contested issue of local government legitimacy in the four municipalities, populated mainly by ethnic Serbs, in the northern part of Kosovo. In December last year, Kosovo Serbs in Leposavić /Leposaviq, North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok and Zvečan/Zveçan collected a sufficient number of signatures — well over the required 20 per cent of the registered electorate — to begin the process of recalling the mayors elected there in April 2023 by less than 4 per cent of total registered voters, due to the Kosovo Serbs’ decision not to participate. This process, long discussed in the framework of the talks facilitated by the European Union (EU), has aimed at reducing the tensions that inevitably resulted from those elections, including violent protests that centred around several municipal premises in northern Kosovo last May. Recently, representatives of the Kosovo Serb community in the north have claimed that the conditions set forth to recall the mayors do not allow for full representative participation in the recall vote.
Subsequently, EU and Quint country representatives based in Pristina have urged a reconsideration of that position, while Kosovo Serbs have responded that their arguments are legitimate and are being insufficiently accounted for. The recall process took place yesterday, without any security incidents. However, only 253 out of the 46,556 registered voters cast their votes. Unfortunately, that sets the stage for protracting and prolonging a fragile and unresolved issue. From our point of view, we will continue to support the EU-facilitated dialogue as the forum to find a consensual resolution to outstanding issues.
Over the past year, there have been numerous setbacks in efforts to build more confidence in peaceful relations among Kosovo’s ethnic communities through political dialogue. The Secretary-General in his report, and I in my briefings to the Council, have previously reported on a number of these setbacks, while wider international attention was drawn by the serious security incident that occurred in the village of Banjska/Banjskë last September. I continue to stress the importance of accountability for that extremely serious incident through a thorough, fact-based investigation and assessment of its circumstances. This is both a judicial matter and also a political necessity in order to avert any recurrence.
During the same period, numerous developments caused hardship and fuelled mistrust between the communities, developments that could — and should — have been foreseen and avoided through good-faith dialogue. Kosovo Serb community representatives have shared their feelings that they are faced with human rights challenges. Those as well as the frequent use of inflammatory and derogatory rhetoric, in both directions, demand closer attention and scrutiny, as well as responsible remedial action by those in leadership positions.
During a time when international political and financial investments continue to be made in support of good-faith dialogue, unilateral action — particularly concerning matters that lie clearly within the scope of the dialogue process — cannot help to alleviate the concerns among ordinary people. The various agreements reached thus far through the dialogue process provide a clear road map towards the settling of many those outstanding issues. Regardless of which side undertakes unilateral actions, or the justifications provided for doing so, in the end such actions only perpetuate an environment of insecurity and mistrust between the communities.
To build upon my remarks delivered here in the Council on 8 February, I must reiterate my continued concern, one also expressed by several Member States, about the manner in which the new regulation on cash transactions was communicated and implemented and how it has affected the more vulnerable segments of the non-majority communities. Under the facilitation of the European Union, the parties have met five times — on 27 February, 19 and 25 March and 4 and 18 April — to seek a solution that addresses the concerns raised and mitigate unintended consequences. We should remain hopeful that a solution can be reached, while urging the parties to work together to find practical solutions in the nearest future.
Another element of the main agreements, which can provide solutions for that and other outstanding normalization matters, is the taking of earnest, credible steps towards establishing the association/community of Serb-majority municipalities. Whatever the association/community’s final form, that form clearly will encompass the elements of sustainable financial and institutional guarantees for the Kosovo Serb community. That includes matters of local administration, along with essential basic services, such as education and health care. Repeated calls for its establishment should be heeded, as it will serve as an important step towards fostering trust between the Serb community and central authorities.
The full implementation of the EU-facilitated agreements has become an ever more pressing priority in order to help to alleviate the continuing series of crises that have emerged. It is therefore of utmost importance for both sides to remain committed to constructive, good-faith engagement and that they find practical compromises.
On matters where the implementation of essential agreements has advanced, meaningful results have been accomplished during the same time frame. Those include advances on vehicle license plate validity, steps forward on the energy road map and on customs.
I wish to commend the Pristina leadership for taking action to fully implement the high court decision of 2016 affirming the property rights of the Visoki Dečani Monastery, which had previously languished for many years. Such action is to be welcomed, since it significantly contributes to both intercommunity trust as well as public confidence in the rule of law.
The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) will continue to make full use of its resources, in partnership with the United Nations Kosovo team and its implementing partners, to help the communities to overcome existing mistrust and to find opportunities for reaping the benefits of genuine cooperation. We will continue to support work across multiple fields that creates new space for communities to work jointly to positively influence processes that affect the future of all. That remains a pillar of our mandated work. The Mission has utilized its essential programmatic activities resources to facilitate innovation and collaboration to encourage greater mutual trust between the communities, find common ground and establish more widespread tolerance of Kosovo’s diversity.
In that context, the Barabar Centre continues to carry out just such efforts at the grass roots level. Since my last report to the Security Council, the number of the Centre’s major activities has surpassed 70 over the course of less than one year, engaging with more than 4,000 individuals representing all communities in Kosovo.
To help inspire future champions of trust-building in Kosovo, in November, we conducted the second United Nations Kosovo Trust-building Forum, involving participants from all communities and professions, who agreed upon 27 recommendations and many more related actions in six thematic areas: economic empowerment, environmental protection, language rights, media and misinformation, participation and inclusion, and strengthening the rule of law. More innovative initiatives lie ahead, in collaboration with and with mutual support from our many international and local partners.
The promotion and protection of human rights is a fundamental part of UNMIK’s mandated work. Together with our partners, we continue to encourage the authorities to place human rights and rule of law principles at the heart of sound policy judgments. That applies to a wide range of human rights and freedoms, including rights to equality and non-discrimination, language, minority and property rights, as well as freedoms of movement, expression, religion and assembly. The enjoyment of those rights and freedoms is indispensable in sustaining Kosovo’s multi-ethnic society.
On matters of transitional justice and the right to truth, I welcome the resumption of meetings of the Working Group on Missing Persons, with the first meeting in three years having been successfully held on 31 January. That direct engagement must continue.
During this period, UNMIK continued to extend its support to the Legal Aid Centre and the Kosovo Law Institute, assisting hundreds of vulnerable individuals; conducted specialized training for young Kosovo Serb lawyers to enhance their work in pursuit of the rule of law; and sponsored law students at a legal clinic promoting multi-ethnic media work.
While progress has been made in the legal and policy frameworks to address gender-based violence, the need for enhanced cooperation among Governments, civil society and international organizations remains. The Mission will continue to employ proactive measures, strengthen support services, train professionals, raise awareness and empower women and girls towards the full and comprehensive implementation of the women and peace and security agenda.
The Mission also continues to prioritize the youth, peace and security agenda. In that regard, the sixth United Nations Youth Assembly in Kosovo this May will again serve as a platform to gather young activists and leaders from across communities in Kosovo and from around the region. The Assembly will support cross-community dialogue and entrepreneurship to help meet the challenges and opportunities of an artificial intelligence-powered world.
Allow me to add a further point of critical emphasis, namely, that to achieve progress in Kosovo and fulfil our mandated goals effectively, the issues we and our partners tackle must be understood and treated as part of the wider regional context. We are aware that our work is part of a combined international effort to promote prosperity, stability and peace in Kosovo and beyond.
I wish to express my appreciation for the daily cooperation and support we receive from our major multilateral partners — in particular the Kosovo Force — and the strength of our coordination with the United Nations Kosovo team. Together, and with the Council’s continuing support, we will navigate this challenging period by maintaining foremost our focus on the rights and well-being of people. We will continue to call upon all leaders — political and civic — to meet their obligations in the same respect. Similarly, we will continue to give our full support to prioritize dialogue over unilateral actions or zero-sum divisive rhetoric. Acknowledging the trend of setbacks in overall trust, we will remain determined partners to all who share the foresight for a better future. Good-faith dialogue, communication and mutual understanding mark the path forward. Progress is born from actions undertaken with the willingness to forge compromises.
I conclude by extending my deep appreciation to the members of the Council for their continued support. Such support is indispensable to UNMIK’s continued endeavours to strengthen the conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all people in Kosovo, which is inextricably linked to peace in the region and beyond.