One shoot is enough, to rekindle the nationalism. Afërdita Dreshaj does know it well, as she posted on her facebook wall a photo together with Anja Saranovic; two girls who friendly embrace themselves, as many others do. But it is not so.
Afërdita is miss Kosovo, Anja is miss Serbia; so the picture has been the trigger for the “online” fury of extremists from both countries. The hardest nationalists attacked the two girls, in the name of an ethnic and political conflict still unresolved, especially since – in February 2008 – the Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from Belgrade.
Out of virtual reality, what are the inter-ethnic relationships between Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians like? Is there still something tense in the air, and are the ethnic conflicts still on? We asked for this questions doctor Sara Bonotti, Senior Human Rights Officer for OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe), mission in Kosovo.
This question is not easy to be answered once and for all, as relations between Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians are fluid and very much dependent on political dynamics. Out of example, the recent situation in northern Kosovo, in conjunction with the ongoing dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, had an echo Kosovo-wide in terms of increasing mutual suspicion, raising tensions and triggering communities’ perceptions of insecurity.
Which factors hamper the reconciliation process and can contribute to raising the level of alert?
Though inter-community relationships have gradually improved since the end of the conflict in 1999 and the ethnic riots in March 2004, there are some pending issues: for instance, the high number of missing persons whose fate, after twelve years, remains unknown; the rather slow processing of war crime trials; and the remarkable size of the displaced community, not able or willing, for various reasons, to go back to their own houses and places of origin.
There is one more ethnic group in Kosovo: Roma.
Kosovo Roma community’s members face a difficult situation – says doctor Bonotti. Their degree of participation in public and social life stays unsatisfactory. The general position is characterized by poor economic conditions, lack of employment opportunities and a overall scenario of discrimination.
Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning some exceptions: in Prizren, for instance, the community is rather well-integrated and received by the majority population, as Roma are settled in the town since a long time. Their level of involvement in institutional affairs is rather higher than elsewhere.
What role does the OSCE play in Kosovo?
Since 1999, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has been tasked with institution- and democracy-building and human rights’ protection and promotion. Currently, OSCE Kosovo on one hand pro-actively monitors and advocates for good governance concepts, such as transparency and accountability of institutions and, on the other hand, it helps protect and promote human rights at large and, particularly, the rights of the various communities. The Mission also contributes to the normalization of inter-ethnic relations. Thanks to its extensive field presence, it is well-placed to provide advice on human and community rights standards, report about the current situation in Kosovo, organize awareness-raising campaigns and implement project and other activities involving both institutions and communities.
On the inside: