A FRAGILE DEMOCRACY

One thing that we have learned on our filming trip is that just because a country is independent does not necessarily mean that it is sovereign. Take Kosovo for instance: although it is a functioning parliamentary representative democracy with independent judiciary and legislative branches, much of the country’s infrastructure is still greatly influenced to various degrees by international organizations. The United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), The European Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), an International Civilian Representative, and the NATO police force called K-FOR still control or oversee many of the country’s foreign and domestic policy decisions and – in spite of Kosovo’s independent status – occasionally even go so far as treat the country more as a protectorate by negotiating or making decisions on its behalf.

One example of this is the rather startling fact that even now, almost nine months after Kosovo declared independence, the UN continues to negotiate with Serbia about the terms of Kosovo’s independent status. Obviously, that is a concern to people in Kosovo: many of them feel that because they have been promised a democratic state that the international community should not barter their country’s territory on their behalf.

A few days ago, we go this letter from our friend Igo Rogova in Pristina:

Dear Friends and Supporters:

I am writing on behalf of the Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) to request your support. You may be aware that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in consultation with the Government of Serbia has put forth six points that would give Serbia broad administrative powers over Serb majority areas within the Republic of Kosovo, including police, judiciary, transportation and infrastructure, boundaries, customs and religious sites. The six points threaten Kosovo’s territorial sovereignty, violate the Constitution of Kosovo, conflict with the Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement proposed by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari, and jeopardize the fragile peace that has been secured in Kosovo and South East Europe. Further, Serb citizens living in enclaves in Kosovo have indicated their opposition to increased Serbian governmental influence.

Since the democratically elected National Assembly declared Kosovo’s independence on 17 February 2008, Kosovo has been recognized by 52 UN member states, including 22 European Union members. Kosovo has also been recognized by all bordering states except Serbia, including Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania. In accordance with Article 1.1 of our Constitution, “The Republic of Kosovo is an independent, sovereign, democratic, unique and indivisible state.”

The Constitution of Kosovo protects the rights of all citizens, including Serb citizens, rendering Serbian governance unnecessary as well as illegal. The Constitution guarantees Serb representation in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo (Art. 63.2(1)), seats as Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Art. 96), access to media in the Serb language (Art. 59(11)), representation on the Kosovo Judicial Council (Art. 108.6(3)) and national language rights (Art. 59(11)). Efforts have been made to include Serb citizens in public institutions, such as the police force.

Thousands of Kosovar citizens plan to march through Prishtina starting at noon on Wednesday, 19 November 2008 to oppose the six points. Citizens will emphasize the illegality of the proposed Serb Government administration through their motto, “Sovereignty comes from people.” The motto echoes Article 2.1 of the Constitution of Kosovo, which states, “The sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo stems from the people, belongs to the people and is exercised in compliance with the Constitution…” KWN, as a member of the organizing committee together with 20 other organizations, fully supports citizens in this effort, agreeing that any political decision concerning Kosovo should be made by citizens rather than imposed by outside international bodies.

We request your full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo. Please join our efforts and the present efforts of the citizens of Kosovo in whatever capacity you can, through advocacy or information-sharing, to oppose any agreement that would give Serbia administrative power over any part of our country. We hope you will join us in calling for international pressure for Serbia to accept the independence and sovereignty of Kosovo, the Kosovo Status Settlement proposed by UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari, and deployment of the European Union Rule of Law Mission (“EULEX”) in northern Kosovo. Such recognition as well as retribution for crimes committed against the citizens of Kosovo in 1998 and 1999 should be a precondition for Serbia’s European Union integration.

We thank you in advance for any support you can offer.

Sincerely,

Igballe Rogova
Executive Director, Kosova Women’s Network


Nearly 100,000 people marched in Pristina on Wednesday to voice their opposition to this six-point plan. The United States, of course, says that it intends to support Kosovo’s government. More information about the UN’s six-point plan can be found here and here.