Sorry state of human rights in Kosovo Beta

Sorry state of human rights in Kosovo
Beta - July 12, 2004

PRISTINA -- Monday - Ombudsman for Kosovo Marek Anthony Novicki said that the state of human rights in Kosovo is below every minimal standard.

Novicki said that this is especially true for non-Albanians living in the region.

“Even after five years of occupation by international organizations in Kosovo, Serbs and Roma are still not guaranteed the basic rights to live, work and move about the region freely.“ Novicki said at a press conference in Pristina.

He said that the reason for this is the large amount of corruption within Kosovo institutions and the fact that a small number of individuals have most of the power in the region.

Novicki also said that more and more people have been leaving Kosovo since the March riots, and not many have moved back.

According to Novicki, the reports on the March riots his organization has done reach completely different conclusion compared to the ones done by UNMIK and KFOR, which he finds to be very unclear and unnerving.