A discussion titled “The Position of the Serbian Community Pending the Formation of Institutions: Challenges, Institutional Relations, and Future Perspectives” will be held on June 8 at the Civic Energy Center (CEC) of NGO Aktiv.
At the end of June, the final results of Kosovo’s parliamentary elections were officially confirmed, formally marking the beginning of a new political phase characterized by the anticipation of the formation of central institutions. This period provides an opportunity to examine the key challenges facing the Serbian community, discuss expectations regarding the future institutions, and open a dialogue on issues that directly affect the daily lives of citizens.
Over the past several months, a number of developments and institutional decisions have attracted public attention and raised important questions regarding the exercise of the rights of the Serbian community, the implementation of legislation, and the functioning of institutions. These include issues related to the use of community symbols, developments surrounding the commemoration of Vidovdan, the implementation of the Law on Foreigners, vehicle registration plates, as well as other unresolved issues stemming from the Belgrade–Pristina Dialogue.
At the same time, several institutional actions, including the takeover of the “Rezala” camp at Lake Gazivode, the demolition of buildings in the village of Čečevo, and the removal of garages in North Mitrovica, have sparked debate over compliance with legal procedures, the division of responsibilities between central and local authorities, the role of the Kosovo Police in implementing specific decisions, and the functioning of local self-government in Serb-majority municipalities. In addition, increasing concerns have been raised about the deterioration of relations between citizens and institutions, particularly the police, further affecting public trust and perceptions of legal certainty.
The objective of this meeting is to facilitate an open and expert discussion among representatives of the media and civil society organizations on how these developments affect the position of the Serbian community, citizens’ trust in institutions, the functioning of local communities, and the prospects for improving institutional dialogue following the establishment of the new government.
A dedicated part of the discussion will focus on the role of the media and civil society organizations in monitoring these developments, the quality of their communication with local and central institutions, access to information of public importance, and the role of the international community in protecting community rights, advancing dialogue, and addressing outstanding issues.
NGO Aktiv is supported by the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) program ‘EJA Kosovo’, co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Sweden. The content of this invitation letter is the sole responsibility of NGO Aktiv and does not necessarily reflect the views of KCSF, SDC, or Sweden.