UNMIK News No. 28
14 February 2000
Despite new security measures in Mitrovica, KFOR comes under fire
KFOR
soldiers were wounded by snipers and unrest continued in Mitrovica despite
new security measures, which were announced on 11 February by the Head of UNMIK,
Dr. Bernard Kouchner, during his second visit to the divided city since fighting
erupted last week.
Around 11 a.m. on 13 February two KFOR French
soldiers were shot and injured near Mitrovica’s Eastern Bridge, one in the arm
and one in the stomach. Both were evacuated to the French Military Medical
Facility. A sniper was killed in northern Mitrovica during the heavy gunfire
that ensued between KFOR and shooters during the next four hours. That morning a
grenade was also thrown in the Bosniak area of the city. Seven people were
injured, and one Albanian later died of his wounds.
UNMIK and KFOR said
in a joint statement on 13 February that they “join together in condemning
utterly these cowardly attacks and state unequivocally that they will not be
tolerated. Those guilty will be brought to justice and will suffer the full
force of the law.”
“Do not let the extremists on either side succeed in
ruining this, your one great chance for peace and a prosperous future,”
continued the statement. “We urge the Kosovo leadership to work with us to
return calm to Mitrovica.”
The new security measures for Mitrovica
include the deployment of an additional 300 UNMIK Police to the area, an
expansion of the safety zone on either side of the Ibar River, an increase in
the number of mobile and fixed checkpoints, joint KFOR–UNMIK Police patrolling,
and a reinforced control of the administrative boundary with Serbia. French,
British, Italian and Danish KFOR troops now conduct foot patrols, vehicle check
points and static guard in Mitrovica’s minority neighborhoods. Non-demonstration
zones will be established.
Dr. Kouchner also pledged to re-invigorate
regulation 1999/2, which stipulates that persons posing a threat to public order
can be removed from the area or detained, and to strictly enforce regulation
2000/4, which will help Kosovo leaders prosecute people who publicly provoke
acts of violence against ethnic minorities.
Insecurity unabated due to “cycle of violence and impunity“
Ethnic
minority assessment calls for better policing and rule of law
Minorities in
Kosovo continue to endure attacks and insecurity in a climate of violence and
impunity, according to the latest assessment of the situation of ethnic
minorities in Kosovo released on 11 February. The report underscores the
absolute need for strengthening security policing and the rule of law
processes.
The report is the fourth study of its kind, carried out
jointly by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Organization
for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). It examines the situation of
minorities from November 1999 through January 2000.
“The insecurity for
the minority populations across the province continues unabated,” the Head of
the UNHCR in Kosovo, Mr. Dennis McNamara, told the press in Pristina. Presenting
the report jointly with the Head of OSCE in Kosovo, Ambassador Daan Everts, Mr.
McNamara said the insecurity is felt by Albanians in northern Mitrovica as well
as Serbs, Roma and others elsewhere in Kosovo.
While he noted
that crime rates had generally improved in recent months, Mr. McNamara stressed
that “the cycle of violence, impunity and further population displacement is
going to continue unless there is a change in the culture and the attitude of
this society”.
Ambassador Everts linked the prevailing climate of
impunity to a lack of adequate law enforcement and judicial capacity. He said
the strength of the international police in the province was inadequate and the
quality of the judiciary “very marginal”. He also noted that political parties
with hate policies would not be registered for the upcoming elections.
Mr. McNamara pleaded for “community leadership, support and concrete
action to first of all control this violence, to urge restraint, to denounce the
attacks, including ones on the humanitarian operations”. He said there seemed to
be political support for the continuing violence. “We don’t have support for law
and order in this society and in a way that’s absolutely essential if Kosovo is
to go forward,” he added.
Mr. McNamara said he also appealed to donor
governments for greater involvement and to Belgrade authorities to take action
with respect to the contentious question of Albanian detainees in
Serbia.
Both Ambassador Everts and Mr. McNamara also blamed the local
media for irresponsible reporting and incitement of hatred and violence.
Ambassador Everts called on the recently created association of journalists to
speak out when the press does not adhere to journalistic standards.
Regulation prohibits “hate speech”, punishes abusers
UNMIK on 10 February
enacted a regulation prohibiting “hate speech”.
The regulation
prescribes punishment by fine or imprisonment for those who publicly incite or
spread hatred, discord or intolerance between national, racial, religious or
ethnic groups living in Kosovo.
“This is a key element for a democratic
Kosovo, since a democratic society must have civil discussions and political
debates that can take place in a non-violent manner,” said the spokesman of the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe at a brieifing in
Pristina on 9 February.
For hate speech to be punishable, it has to be
likely to disturb public order and must be incitement of hatred between groups,
not individuals. The regulation, which came into effect on 1 February, applies
to anybody but places a special responsibility on people who by their position,
office or function have a capability of reaching wide audiences.
The
regulation states that those found guilty of “hate speech” by the courts shall
be punished by a fine or by imprisonment not exceeding five years or both;
however, the punishment may be increased to eight to 10 years if the public
incitement of hatred has been committed under particular circumstances.
Briefs . . . .
Education for nurses: The Finnish Government agency FINNIDA plans to
support the upgrading of nursing education in Kosovo. Two highly experienced
nursing teachers are assessing needs and will develop a curriculum.
Demonstrators take to streets: A crowd of 25,000 to 30,000 people held a peaceful demonstration in Prizren on 9 February, calling for a solution to the Mitrovica problem. The participants also demanded the return of Kosovo Albanians detained in Serbia. A small delegation of demonstrators met briefly with the Regional Administrator, Mr. Lennart Myhlback. They gave him a letter addressed to the Head of UNMIK, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, in which they voiced their concerns. A similar demonstration, attended by 2,000 to 3,000 people, was held on the same day in Pec.
KPC leaders sworn in: The swearing-in ceremony of 156 mid-level members of the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) for the Pristina region was held on 5 February. In another ceremony on 11 February in Prizren, 58 mid-level leaders of the KPC were sworn in.
US judicial visit: A delegation of US judicial advisers visited Gnjilane on 9
and 10 February to assess the needs of the courts and to determine what
arrangements can be made to meet those needs. Ms Sylvie Pantz and Ms Nekibi
Kelmendi, UNMIK co-heads of the Department of Justice, accompanied the
delegation. The US team held extensive talks with the prosecutors and presidents
of the Gnjilane District Court. The visit also included a meeting with the
presidents of the Municipal Court and the Court of Minor Offences in Kamenica,
as well as with KFOR legal officers at Camp Bondsteel.
On and off: Unit 1 of
the Kosovo B power plant broke down on 12 February due to tube and steam leaks.
Resulting restrictions allow for two hours of power, follwed by six hours
without. Repairs should revive the unit by 16 February. Negotiations are
underway for an increased power supply from the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia, which currently exports 20 megawatts of electricity to Kosovo.
No power, no water: Recent water shortages are the result of an electricity supply problem to the Sajkovic water treatment plant. The European Union, the Kosovo Power Company and the water company are working to improve the flow of electricity to the main water stations.
100 NGOs regsitered: UNMIK presented the 100th non-governmental registration certificate to Handicap Kosova on 11 February in Pristina.
TB underestimated: A study of the knowledge, attitudes and practises related to tuberculosis in Kosovo has found that 10 per cent of the population delayed reporting symptoms until they became extreme. The study was carried out by Doctors of the World, who are involved in educating the population about the disease.
Speed limit to be enforced
UNMIK Police and the Kosovo Police Service have
begun issuing tickets for traffic violations.
Car drivers should note
that the speed limit is 35 km/hr in Pristina and other urban areas. The highway
speed limit is 100 km/hr, unless otherwise indicated. Drivers will be issued a
20 to 50 deutsche mark fine for speeding. Fines must be paid at the Pristina
Municipal Building on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon.
Complete driving and traffic guidelines are available from the
police.
What’s on in the regions
Pec
The housing and winterization project in Pec has so far supported 791
families, sheltered in 599 houses. A number of organizations have expressed
interest in carrying out reconstruction this year and a meeting was held at the
regional level last week to coordinate efforts.
Prizren
A 20-member multi-ethnic and multi-party Municipal Council was
established in the Prizren municipality on 8 February. The Regional
Administrator, Mr. Lennart Myhlback, who was present at the signing ceremony,
described it as “an historic day for Prizren and for Kosovo”. Meanwhile, in
Dragash, a 15-member provisional Municipal Council was appointed on 9 February.
Gnjilane
The manager of the Vitina branch of the Banking and Payments
Authority, Mr. Danush Selimi, was shot dead on 9 February. Mr. Selimi was
opening the bank when an unknown assailant approached and shot him three times
in the chest. He was rushed to Camp Bondsteel for treatment but was decleared
dead on arrival at the military base. The Gnjilane Regional Administrator, Mr.
Marcel Cintalan, and the Vitina Municipal Administrator, Mr. Gilles Dubuc, have
strongly condemned the murder.
Pristina
The Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) opened a “Human Rights Focus Point” on 7 February
in the INEX Building, next to the OSCE Headquarters. The local population and
non-governmental organizations can contact OSCE Human Rights Officers at the
Focus Point three mornings a week to request information and advice on human
rights issues.
Mitrovica
A Kosovo Serb was apprehended on 8 February for slashing tyres
of UNMIK vehicles. One UNMIK police officer sustained an injury to the eye while
catching the suspect.
UNMIK Police Facts*
Authorized strength: 3,155 Deployed: 2,056
Pristina: 603 Main Headquarters: 213
Pec:
112 Border police: 202
Prizren: 318 Training
staff: 33
Mitrovica: 266 Kosovo Police Service: 75
Gnjilane:
195 At training centre: 25**
* As of 13 February 2000 ** Awaiting deployment