Statement in defense of freedom of expression and freedom of association

Prishtina, 22 March 2011– We, the undersigned organizations, express our concern regarding the latest attacks of one part of the media in relation to the legitimate initiative of civil society to act in defense of the rule of law and the integrity of public institutions of Republic of Kosovo.

A document, a draft plan that was public and that was circulated for discussion among nongovernmental organizations, was qualified as an attempt for “coup”, “plot” or “rebellion” against institutions of the country, which was not at all the purpose of the respective initiative.

Misinterpretation of this initiative and attempts to present it as threatening, evil-minded and illegal undermine the democratic character of Kosovo, where Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Association are fundamental democratic rights, protected under the Constitution of the country and international conventions. The campaign of threatening and denigrating reports against organisations that were part of this initiative has harmed personal integrity and life of the people involved.

This campaign was also an effort to crush the civil reaction in the defence of public interest, classifying the forms of democratic reaction as anti-constitutional and against the law. Civil society exists and it is obliged to deal with issues of public interest, in all forms permitted under the law and which are based on universal democratic principles.

Respect of legitimate forms for expressing citizens” discontent defines a democratic state and there should be no compromise in this regard.

Signed by:

Democratic Institute of Kosovo (KDI), the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF), FOL Movement, Eye of Vision, Balkan Policy Institute (IPOL), Womens Network of Kosovo, the Center for Policy and Advocacy (QPA), Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR), Kosovo United States Alumni, Developing Together (DT), Ec Ma Ndryshe