30 September 2011 – The Ombudsperson, Mr. Sami Kurteshi is carefully monitoring the events in the northern part of the country, and it expresses its concern regarding security situation there. The conflicts and subsequent attacks, carried out by the groups and individuals, endanger the life of the citizens, violate property, and restrict the human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, in particular the freedom of movement and the right to work.

The attack that occurred on Wednesday in “Little Bosnia” neighbourhood, against a small group of workers presents a direct danger for the further escalation of violence. Such a situation is unacceptable. The Ombudsperson requests the competent authorities to indentify the attackers and to bring them before the justice.

The Ombudsperson considers the direct calls by the officials of the Republic of Serbia for continuation of the violent attacks and blocking of the life in the north of Kosovo as extremely dangerous and warmongering.

The Ombudsperson praises continence of the Government of the Republic of the Kosovo in this situation and it encourages the authorities to decisively continue extension of the rule of law and order throughout the entire territory of the country, but by protecting and respecting the human rights and freedoms.

Also, the Ombudsperson praises the engagement of all domestic and international mechanisms, aiming to provide the fundamental right to life, freedom of movement and the right to work as the fundamental and necessary premises of functioning of a legal and democratic State.