Background Briefing

Protect Minorities from Violence

Violence against minorities has been a persistent feature of Kosovo’s post-war history. Minority communities, including Albanian-speaking Ashkali, were the primary target of the March 2004 riots in Kosovo. Today, with much of Kosovo’s Albanian and Serb population separated geographically, there are fewer incidents. But security incidents continue in the remaining ethnically mixed areas, including physical assaults, theft, and violent property-related disputes. Acts of vandalism against Orthodox churches and monasteries continue, damaging confidence and undermining community relations.

The inadequate response by the NATO-led Kosovo peacekeeping Force (KFOR), UN police and Kosovo Police Service to the March 2004 riots, and the failure to bring to justice many of the perpetrators of inter-ethnic violence have left minority communities in Kosovo mistrustful toward national and international institutions. KFOR says it has learned lessons from the events of March 2004, streamlining the chain of command to allow for more rapid deployment to trouble spots.

But ending violence requires more than physical protection. Those responsible must also be brought to justice. Strengthening the justice system is therefore critical to restoring trust among Kosovo minority communities. Improving minority representation in the Kosovo Police Service and outreach are integral to that effort.

 Recommendations:

  • KFOR, international police and the Kosovo Police Service must respond promptly to attacks on minorities, provide adequate protection, and ensure that evidence is preserved and witnesses identified for future prosecution.
  • Ensure that persons who carry out attacks on minorities are brought to justice.
  • Improve minority representation in the Kosovo Police Service and engage in proactive outreach efforts to promote trust towards law enforcement among Kosovo’s minority communities.