“FOR YOUR SAFETY, SAFE STEPS IN TRAFFIC!“, “These tips are managed by the Mayor, and just like with OSJB – diversity is highly emphasized here as well”, “Come yourself, not news about you!”, “Together for a safe Kosovo!” – these are just some of the many examples of linguistic “obstacles” citizens face when trying to access information in Serbian on the official website of the Kosovo Police.
The issue of systematic violations of the Law on the Use of Languages in Kosovo has been raised for years, yet it persists despite the legal framework[1] that guarantees the equal use of Serbian and Albanian. As a result, non-majority communities, in this case, those who communicate in Serbian, are denied access to essential information. Moreover, this issue was noted in the European Commission’s 2023 Report on Kosovo[2] where it is highlighted in multiple sections.
Therefore, NGO Aktiv and Radio Kim, now joined this week by the New Social Initiative (NSI) and Radio Gorazdevac, are continuing their public advocacy campaign with the aim of urging institutions to address this long-standing issue. After covering the Central Election Commission (CEC)[3], the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA)[4] and the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo (PIK)[5], in our previous analyses, this week we focused in detail on the Kosovo Police. Upon reviewing their official website and social media channels, we found that the same harmful practices are still being applied.
Respect for language rights by the Kosovo Police is essential to ensuring equal access to justice and safety for all citizens, especially in the north of Kosovo, where many have expressed concern[6] over the fact that most Albanian police officers do not speak Serbian. Although the Law on Police[7] clearly mandates communication in both official languages, in practice, members of the Serbian community often face language barriers when reporting incidents, seeking information, or exercising their rights before institutions.
The Kosovo Police sends its press releases to some Serbian media outlets almost exclusively in Albanian. When Serbian versions do arrive, they are often delayed by several hours and typically feature very poor, nearly unusable translations. Their representatives in Pristina and Gracanica are rarely available for statements or comments to Serbian-language media south of the Ibar River, in contrast to their colleagues in the north of Kosovo, who generally carry out their duties promptly and professionally.
What Did We Discover on the Kosovo Police Website?
Website[8]: The section of the website in Serbian, which contains all categories, is displayed exclusively in Albanian. Furthermore, there are clearly poor translations of certain words and phrases on the site itself (for example: “Report a crime,” “Departamenti”).
An incomprehensible translation: In the “News” section, some content translated into Serbian appears in a strange, almost unintelligible form (example: “the specialized unit[9] for handling explosive devices have controlled exploded a grenade”). Moreover, a significant number[10] of news articles[11] in the Serbian-language section are actually presented in Albanian[12] despite the existence of a separate section for Albanian-language content. Additionally, the ijekavica dialect is often used, which is inconsistent with standard Serbian used in official communication.
Video Gallery[13]: Information about video materials in the Serbian-language section of the website is presented exclusively in Albanian.
Numerous Spelling Errors: In the “Directorate for Operations” section, there are numerous mistakes[14] ranging from spelling errors to mistranslations that fail to convey the proper meaning and context of the sentences.
Special Units Department[15]: If someone tries to view this category in Serbian, they will not be able to do so. When switched to the Serbian-language version, the website redirects the user to the homepage. This category can only be accessed in Albanian. The same applies to the “Intelligence and Analytical Department” category”[16] with the difference being that, aside from the title, there is no content provided at all.
Border Directorate[17]: n this category on the Serbian-language section of the website, the names of border crossings are listed exclusively in Albanian. At the same time, numerous spelling errors and grammatical case mistakes are evident. The same situation applies to the “Investigation Directorate”[18] category.
“Human Resources Directorate”[19]: This is, in fact, an incorrect translation from Albanian. The accurate Serbian translation should be “Odeljenje za ljudske resurse” (“Department for Human Resources”).
“Support Services Directorate”[20]: This is another example of poor translation. The correct Serbian translation should be “Odeljenje za pomoćne usluge” (“Department for Auxiliary Services”). Furthermore, unlike the Albanian version, the Serbian-language section contains no accompanying information, only the title is displayed.
Regional Directorates: In the Serbian-language section where the regions are presented[21], numerous spelling mistakes and poorly translated sentences are once again apparent. Additionally, the names of some cities are listed exclusively in Albanian or in poorly translated Serbian. Moreover, the names of certain regions[22] in this section of the website are actually written in English.
Unclear Translation: Nearly the entire category related to community safety[23] is extremely poorly translated, containing numerous spelling and grammatical errors, as well as translations that fail to convey the correct meaning of sentences (example: “These tips are managed by the Mayor, and just like with OSJB – diversity is highly emphasized here as well”).
Document Titles in Albanian[24]: In the “Projects, Awareness-Raising and Activities” category on the Serbian-language section of the website, the titles of all documents are presented exclusively in Albanian.
Magazine: The titles[25] of several editions of the magazine periodically published by the Kosovo Police under the name “Protector” appear in Albanian in the Serbian-language section of the website.
Information Campaign[26]: In this category of the Serbian-language section of the website, documents are provided in both Albanian and Serbian. However, the titles of some documents are very poorly translated almost unreadable.
Lack of Documents: n certain categories where documents are provided, a significant number of files are missing from the Serbian-language version of the website compared to the Albanian version. For example, in the category covering police acts and administrative instructions, 45 documents are available in Albanian[27], while only 22 are provided in Serbian[28]. A similar disparity is evident in the “Information Campaign” category—74 documents in Albanian[29], versus 31 in Serbian[30]. Furthermore, documents related to the international cooperation of the Kosovo Police are not available on the Serbian version of the site, but only in Albanian[31]. The same situation applies to the category covering agreements with local institutions.[32]
Employment[33]: In the “Employment Opportunities” category on the Serbian-language section of the website, some documents are available only in Albanian[34]. Additionally, there is a noticeable disparity in the number of documents provided, significantly more are available in Albanian than in Serbian.
Contact[35]: One of the most striking examples of poor translation and spelling errors is the category providing information on how to contact the Kosovo Police. For instance, in the Serbian language section of the site, one can find sentences such as “From line mobile line: 192 – 038 550 999 or 92” and “Together for safe Kosova!” which are grammatically incorrect and confusing.
Reports: If you wish to report cybercrime through the Serbian-language section of the website, you will not be able to do so, as this category exists only in the Albanian version[36]. Furthermore, if you click on the “Wanted Persons” category, you will find only one warrant listed in Serbian, while 132 warrants are available in the Albanian section.
Social networks
Facebook[37]: The name of the institution appears in English. Regarding activities and information posts, all content is published exclusively in Albanian. Exceptions are made only when a criminal incident occurs in northern Kosovo[38], or when a job vacancy is announced. As for video materials[39], such as police operations and public awareness campaigns[40] they are almost entirely in Albanian, including accompanying text, unless they refer to specific actions in northern Kosovo[41]. Furthermore, public events[42] organized by the institution are also presented exclusively in Albanian.
X[43] (Formerly Twitter): The situation is the same as on Facebook—the institution’s name appears in English. Activities and posts are also published exclusively in Albanian, including photos and illustrations.[44] The same applies to video content, which lacks any accompanying translation or subtitles in Serbian[45].
YouTube[46]: The situation on the Kosovo Police’s YouTube channel is somewhat better compared to other social media platforms, as there is some bilingual video content. However, aside from a few informational campaigns, most of the Kosovo Police’s operations are presented exclusively in Albanian, without any accompanying text or subtitles in Serbian.
Why does this matter?
As we have pointed out in previous analyses, the continuation of our campaign confirms that the systematic neglect of the Serbian language in Kosovo’s institutions is a serious problem. This practice prevents equal access to information for non-majority communities and constitutes a direct violation of the Law on the Use of Languages.[47]
This law clearly stipulates that Albanian and Serbian are equal official languages in Kosovo. However, the years-long practice of ignoring this issue—and the silence surrounding the continuous violation of language rights—effectively denies Serbian citizens and other non-majority communities who rely on information in Serbian their constitutionally and legally guaranteed right to equal access to public information.
That is why it is essential to replace the current practice of using unqualified translators or relying on Google Translate with professional, qualified interpreters who can ensure clear and accurate translations of content into Serbian. By establishing a functional translation system, uninterrupted access to information of public importance will be secured. More importantly, institutions will demonstrate through practice their commitment to fully respecting not only linguistic rights, but also fundamental human rights, including the rights of non-majority communities[48] as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights[49].
While non-governmental organizations with limited resources regularly provide trilingual presentations of their activities, the Kosovo Police, working with a budget of €159,736,292.89 in 2023[50], undoubtedly had sufficient funds to ensure adequate translation into Serbian.
We therefore call on the Kosovo Police to promptly begin the process of harmonizing the language versions of the information published on their website and social media platforms, and to ensure equal access to information in both official languages.
Once again, we call on the Office of the Prime Minister to avoid political rhetoric without tangible results, to move beyond declarative commitments to the rights of non-majority communities, and to instruct institutions to align their language practices with all legally prescribed standards.
At the same time, we urge the Office of the Language Commissioner to begin implementing legal provisions within its mandate. This includes building an institutional environment that respects constitutional and legal obligations, and ensures the protection, promotion, preservation, and enforcement of the language rights of all citizens of Kosovo.
Once again, we encourage all citizens to actively participate in this process and report any observed language-related irregularities to the relevant institutions, such as the Kosovo Police Inspectorate[51] (info.ipk@rks-gov.net), the Office of the Language Commissioner (zkgj.kpj@gmail.com), and the Ombudsperson Institution (info.oik@oik-rks.org).
We also call on citizens to contact NGO Aktiv (office@ngoaktiv.org) if they come across specific linguistic anomalies, and in doing so, join us in urging the competent institutions to uphold the legally mandated standards.
[1] https://kryeministri.rks-gov.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ZAKON_BR._02_L-37_O_UPOTREBI_JEZIKA1346.pdf
[2] https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/c790738e-4cf6-4a43-a8a9-43c1b6f01e10_en?filename=Kosovo%20Report%202024.pdf
[3] https://ngoaktiv.org/vesti/pokrecemo-kampanju-za-jezicka-prava/#_ftn1
[4] https://ngoaktiv.org/vesti/nastavljamo-kampanju-za-jezicka-prava-u-fokusu-mup/
[5] https://ngoaktiv.org/vesti/sistematsko-nepostovanje-zakona-o-upotrebi-jezika-policijski-inspektorat-kosova/
[6] https://www.kosovo-online.com/vesti/analize/sve-brojnije-prituzbe-srba-na-rad-kosovske-policije-sprovodjenje-zakona-ili-represija
[7] https://www.kosovopolice.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ZAKON-Br.-04L-076-O-POLICIJI_2.-marta-2012.god_..pdf
[8] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/
[9] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/na-zgradu-poste-kosova-u-zvecanu-bacena-je-eksplozivna-naprava-rucna-granata/
[10] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/odrzan-zvanicni-sastanak-u-vezi-sa-sprovodjenjem-operativnog-plana-izbori-za-skupstinu-republike-kosova/
[11] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/uhapseno-je-sest-6-osoba-osumnjicenih-za-krivicno-delo-napad-na-sluzbeno-lice/
[12] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/iz-bezbednosnog-aspekta-izborni-proces-protekao-mirno-i-bez-ozbiljnih-incidenata/
[13] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/o-nama/video-galerija/
[14] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/departamenti/uprava-za-operacije/
[15] https://www.kosovopolice.com/departamenti-i-njesive-speciale/
[16] https://www.kosovopolice.com/departamenti-i-inteligjences-dhe-analizes/
[17] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/departamenti/granicna-uprava/
[18] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/departamenti/uprava-za-istrage/
[19] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/departamenti/uprava-za-ljudske-izvore/
[20] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/departamenti/uprava-podrsnih-sluzbi/
[21] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/regionalne-direkcije/rdp-pristina/
[22] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/regionalne-direkcije/rdp-urosevac/
[23] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/policija-u-zajednici/opstinski-odbori-za-bezbednost-zajednice/
[24] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/policija-u-zajednici/projekti-podizanje-svesti-i-aktivnosti/
[25] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/dokumenti/sluzbeni-casopis/
[26] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/dokumenti/informativna-kampanja/
[27] https://www.kosovopolice.com/dokumente/akte-te-brendshme-te-policise-rregulloret-udhezimet-administrative/
[28] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/dokumenti/unutrasnji-policijski-akti-pravilnici-administrativna-uputstva/
[29] https://www.kosovopolice.com/dokumente/fushate-vetedijesimi/
[30] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/dokumenti/informativna-kampanja/
[31] https://www.kosovopolice.com/dokumente/marreveshjet-nderkombetare-te-bashkepunimit-policor/
[32] https://www.kosovopolice.com/dokumente/marreveshjet-me-institucionet-vendore/
[33] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/oglasi/mogucnosti-zaposljavanja/
[34] https://www.kosovopolice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/01.Rezultatet-e-Verifikimit_FLOTA-Operative-Te-gjitha-pozitat.pdf
[35] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sr/kontakt/
[36] https://www.kosovopolice.com/sherbimet/raporto-krimin-kibernetik/
[37] https://www.facebook.com/KosovoPolice
[38] https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AD5piwRSJ/
[39] https://www.facebook.com/KosovoPolice/videos_by
[40] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1095589672263954
[41] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1253610619178549
[42] https://www.facebook.com/events/1702208823176440/
[43] https://x.com/Kosovo_Police
[44] https://x.com/Kosovo_Police/status/1901950049443021063
[45] https://x.com/Kosovo_Police/status/1869458938888155609/video/1
[46] https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqpmNXbs4ZQMt7FBBVmGung
[47] https://kryeministri.rks-gov.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ZAKON_BR._02_L-37_O_UPOTREBI_JEZIKA1346.pdf
[48] https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDocumentDetail.aspx?ActID=2531
[49] https://www.ohchr.org/en/human-rights/universal-declaration/translations/serbian-latin-srpski
[50] https://www.kosovopolice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/RAPORTI-I-PUNES-PER-VITIN-2023-SERBISHT.pdf
[51] https://ipk.rks-gov.net/
