http://www.globalfundforwomen.org/cms/
November 24, 2008
Kosova Women's Network Appeals for Country's Sovereignty
Even though the United Nations recognized Kosova's independence in February this year, it continues to make deals with Serbian government to maintain control over the Kosova territories, where majority of the Serbs reside. The situation continues to be complicated as the Serbian government claims it needs to provide security to Serbs living in Kosova, and Albanian Kosovars claim not making lives of Serbs difficult within an independent Kovosa. Read an urgent letter of appeal by the Kosova Women's Network's leader and anti-war activist Igballe Rogova who is also an advisor to the Global Fund.
Read Letter November 16, 2008
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 informationsharing,
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
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 informationsharing,
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
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