2015 Kosovo protests explained

2015 Kosovo protests
Date:First wave:
6 January 2015 – 3 February 2015
Goals:
Methods:Demonstrations
Result:Aleksandar Jablanović resigns[1] [2]
Side1:Kosovan opposition

----Anti-government protesters----Thirrjet e nënave[4]

Side2: Government of Kosovo
Leadfigures1:Vetëvendosje!

AAK

NISMA

Leadfigures2: Government of Kosovo
Howmany1:7,000–40,000[9]
Casualties1:
Casualties2:
  • 92 policemen injured

In early January 2015, a series of anti-governmental protests began in Kosovo, as a result of the statements by Aleksandar Jablanović, a Kosovo Serb politician, Member of Parliament and Minister of Communities and Returns in the Republic of Kosovo.

On 6 January 2015, a group known as Thirrjet e nënave (The call of mothers), whose members are mostly mothers of victims from the Kosovo War, protested in front of the Orthodox Church in Gjakova before Christmas,[12] [13] to block adherents to enter, due to Serbia's ongoing refusal to apologise for the victims. Later that day, Aleksandar Jablanović, Minister of Communities and Returns and member of the Parliament of Kosovo branded as "savages" and "freaks" [14] a group who stoned and blocked the way for buses driving displaced Serbs to Christmas mass in Gjakova.[15] [16] [17] [18] Most of Kosovo citizens were overwhelmingly offended, including the opposition who immediately asked for Jablanović's resignation. The protests after his statements began in Gjakova and continued until 17 January, where around 10,000 people turned to the city center.[19] [20] The demonstrations shortly expanded to Peja,[21] Deçan,[22] Gjilan,[23] and the whole territory of Kosovo. On 19 January, Jablanović formally apologised for his statements.[24]

On 24 and 27 January 2015, national-level protests took place in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, where roughly 50,000 people turned to streets to demand Jablanović's resignation and the return of Trepča as a public institution of the Republic of Kosovo.[9] However, the protests turned violent due to the clash with the police.[25] It was internationally proclaimed as the worst unrest since 2008.[26]

On 3 February 2015, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa announced that Aleksandar Jablanović would no longer be part of the cabinet, and therefore his resignation was confirmed.[1] [2] His resignation was welcomed by the opposition and other citizens,[27] but criticized by the Government of Serbia.[28]

Background

Prior to the local and national protests and the formation of the new government on 9 December 2014, disapproval and anti-governmental actions had already started. At least 20,000 people from Kosovo,[29] whose vast majority were youth, were instantly trying to illegally emigrate to the European Union, through Serbia and Hungary,[30] due to the high unemployment rate.

Unemployment and illegal emigration

According to a 2014 report by the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, the unemployment rate in the country is 30%, of whom, the unemployment from the age of 15–24 is at 55.9%.[31] Due to the high number of unemployment and the current poverty, roughly 50% of the emigrants were youth between the age of 15–24,[29] who were seeking a better life in the European Union through illegal emigration. Most of them, would enter Serbia and then illegally move to Hungary.[30] The situation gained national attention, and most citizens would blame the government, due to its failure to prevent the emigration and to shrink the unemployment rate.[32] President Atifete Jahjaga and other government official expressed their concern.[32]

Trepča status

On 14 January 2015, the Government of Kosovo passed a bill to the parliament to return the Trepča Mines, as a public institution of the Republic of Kosovo.[33] [34] The decision was revoked, due to the Serbian government threats; although the government had denied Serbia's intervention, by justifying the decision, saying that a similar move would leave thousands of people unemployed,[35] and announced they would shortly return the mines as an institution of Kosovo.[36]

The move to revoke the bill was widely opposed by Kosovo's citizens and the Kosovan opposition, saying that it was damaging the sovereignty of Kosovo.[37] At the following parliament sessions, opposition's reaction was extremely negative, with most of them, either leaving the assembly, or constantly threatening the position.[38] [39]

United Kingdom's ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo, Ian Cliff said that "Trepça is a property of Kosovo", because it's located in the territory of Kosovo and should therefore be a public institution of the Republic.[40] He was also against putting Trepča as a topic in the Belgrade–Pristina negotiations because it was a matter for Kosovo.[41]

January protests

Kosovan opposition Vetëvendosje!, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo,[42] [43] Initiative for Kosovo, New Kosovo Alliance[44] and others demanded Jablanović's resignation and the return of the Trepča Mines as a public institution of the Republic of Kosovo. They called for the first national-level protest on 24 January 2015,[45] where thousands of protesters turned to streets,[46] [47] with the motto Jabllanoviq jashtë! Trepça është e jona! (Jablanovic out! Trepça is ours!).[48] The building of the government was damaged.[49] The vandalism was condemned by President Atifete Jahjaga.[50]

The second national-level protest was held at the Mother Teresa square in Pristina on 27 January, supported by Vetëvendosje, AAK, NISMA, Thirrjet e nënave, and most Kosovo Albanian citizens. It began as a quiet and peaceful demonstration with the same requests and motto as the first protest. However, it became very violent when protesters clashed with Kosovo Police.[51] Shpend Ahmeti, Mayor of Pristina was arrested, although he was immediately freed, and other politicians as well. Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy PM Hashim Thaçi condemned the protests and the violence.[52] Dozens of protesters were injured,[25] and it was later confirmed that the Kosovo Police had used tear gas.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mustafa:Jabllanovic nga sot nuk është pjesë e kabinetit qeveritar. Gazeta Express. 3 February 2015. 4 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150204141251/http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/mustafajabllanovic-nuk-eshte-pjese-kabinetit-qeveritar-78009/. dead.
  2. Web site: Jabllanoviq nuk është më pjesë e kabinetit qeveritar. Telegrafi.com. 3 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150204141511/http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/jabllanoviq-nuk-eshte-me-pjese-e-kabinetit-qeveritar-2-57958.html. 4 February 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  3. Web site: Nisma kërkon nga Qeveria mos të keqpërdor policinë. Telegrafi.com.
  4. Web site: ‘Thirrjet e Nënave’, distancohen nga dhuna në protestë. https://archive.today/20150128193628/http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/thirrjet-e-nenave-distancohen-nga-dhuna-ne-proteste-76035/. dead. January 28, 2015. Gazeta Express.
  5. Web site: Ramush Haradinaj: Shihemi n’shesh. Gazeta Express. 2015-01-28. 2015-01-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20150129012853/http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/ramush-haradinaj-shihemi-nshesh-76154. dead.
  6. Web site: NISMA përkrahë protestën e nesërme. Telegrafi.com.
  7. Web site: Protesta si rregullator i demokracisë. Gazeta Blic. 25 January 2015. https://archive.today/20150128193639/http://gazetablic.com/protesta-si-rregullator-demokracise/. 28 January 2015. dead.
  8. Web site: Mustafa e Thaçi, Qëndrim të Fortë Kundër Protestuesve. Kallxo. 2015-01-28. 2015-01-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20150130021349/http://live.kallxo.com/sq/MTL/Mustafa-e-Thaci-Qendrim-te-Forte-Kunder-Protestuesve-4415. dead.
  9. Web site: Sa ishte numri i protestuesve të shtunën? Dikush ka bërë një kalkulim. Gazeta Express. 2015-01-28. 2015-01-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20150128015239/http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/sa-ishte-numri-i-protestuesve-te-shtunen-75945. dead.
  10. Web site: Protestuesit e arrestuar po dërgohen në gjykatë. Telegrafi.com. 29 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150201031725/http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/protestuesit-e-arrestuar-po-dergohen-ne-gjykate-2-57659.html. 1 February 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  11. Web site: Hyseni: 92 policë e 20 protestues të lënduar. https://archive.today/20150128193638/http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/hyseni-92-police-e-20-protestues-te-lenduar-76559/. dead. January 28, 2015. Gazeta Express.
  12. Web site: Gjakovë: Përfundoi protesta në hyrje të Kishës Ortodokse. Bota Sot. 6 January 2015.
  13. Web site: Protesta në Gjakovë, 4 të arrestuar. Koha-net. 6 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150129061004/http://koha.net/arkiva/?page=1,13,171295. 29 January 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  14. Web site: Jabllanoviqi i quan egërsira protestuesit në Gjakovë (Video). Telegrafi.com. 7 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150108045453/http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/jabllanoviqi-i-quan-egersira-protestuesit-ne-gjakove-video-2-56413.html. 2015-01-08. dead.
  15. News: Resignation of minister Jablanovic demanded, protests warned. 15 January 2015. Independent Balkan News Agency. 13 February 2015.
  16. News: Bus carrying Serbs attacked with stones in Kosovo. 8 February 2015. B92 English. 8 February 2015.
  17. News: Mustafa: Nepotrebna zbrka oko Jablanovićeve izjave. 8 February 2015. Blic Online. 8 February 2015.
  18. News: Anti-gov't protest escalates in Kosovo. 15 January 2015. china.org.cn. 13 February 2015.
  19. Web site: Fillon protesta kundër Jabllanoviqit në Gjakovë. Zeri. 17 January 2015. 3 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203010903/http://www.zeri.info/aktuale/15555/fillon-protesta-kunder-jabllanoviqit-ne-gjakove/. dead.
  20. Web site: Gjakovarët ndihen të fyer, kërkojnë shkarkimin e Jabllanoviqit: Fashizmi i Serbisë - nuk kalon! (Video). Telegrafi.com. 2015-01-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20150129064625/http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/gjakovaret-ndihen-te-fyer-kerkojne-shkarkimin-e-jabllanoviqit-fashizmi-i-serbise-nuk-kalon-video-2-56541.html. 2015-01-29. dead.
  21. Web site: Peja dhe Gjakova protestojnë kundër Jabllanoviqit. KOHA.net. 2015-01-28. https://archive.today/20150128193621/http://koha.net/index-28.11.2014.php?id=27&l=40965. 2015-01-28. dead.
  22. Web site: Edhe Deçani do shkarkimin e Jabllanoviqit. KOHA.net. 2015-01-28. https://archive.today/20150128193621/http://koha.net/index-28.11.2014.php?id=27&l=40965. 2015-01-28. dead.
  23. Web site: Edhe Gjilani proteston kundër Jabllanoviqit. BotaSot.info. 23 January 2015.
  24. Web site: Jabllanovic publikisht u kërkon falje nënave gjakovare. Gazeta Express. 19 January 2015. 22 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150122031158/http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/jabllanoviq-kerkon-falje-74560. dead.
  25. Web site: Kosovo Protests: Dozens Injured In Second Day Of Anti-Government Demonstrations. International Business Times. 27 January 2015.
  26. Web site: Police, protesters fight running battles in Kosovo. Reuters. 27 January 2015.
  27. Web site: Kurti: Shkarkimi i Jabllanoviqit, leksion i mirë për të gjithë ministrat. Telegrafi.com. 3 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150204142611/http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/kurti-shkarkimi-i-jabllanoviqit-leksion-i-mire-per-te-gjithe-ministrat-2-57989.html. 4 February 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  28. Web site: Serb minister dismissed from Pristina government. B92. 4 February 2015.
  29. Web site: Sa është kosto e emigrantëve që po lëshojnë Kosovën dhe cila është mundësia parandalimit të emigrimit. Zëri. 11 January 2015. 18 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150118044933/http://www.zeri.info/zerat/14697/sa-eshte-kosto-e-emigranteve-qe-po-leshojne-kosoven-dhe-cila-eshte-mundesia-parandalimit-te-emigrimit/. dead.
  30. Web site: Gjysma e emigrantëve ilegalë në Hungari, kosovarë. Koha.net. 20 December 2014.
  31. Web site: Burimi: Rezultatet e Anketë së Fuqisë Punëtore në Kosovë 2013. Kosovo Agency of Statistics, KAS/AKS. 2015-01-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045205/http://ask.rks-gov.net/component/content/article/35-yoocarousel/589-fuqia-puntore. 2016-03-04. dead.
  32. Web site: Migrimi i paligjshëm nga Kosova, shqetësim për BE-në. Radio Evropa e Lirë.
  33. Web site: "Trepça" pronë e Qeverisë. https://archive.today/20150119005723/http://time.ikub.al/NONE/3e7925167d3bac8aba84bdbde5ab9244/Lajm_Trepca-prone-e-Qeverise.aspx. dead. January 19, 2015. Radio Evropa e Lirë.
  34. Web site: Trepça i merret AKP-së, i kthehet shtetit. KOHA.net.
  35. Web site: Blerand Stavileci: Trepça është e jona. YouTube.com. Klan Kosova.
  36. Web site: Pronësia e "Trepçës" përplas pozitën dhe opozitën. Radio Evropa e Lirë. 19 January 2015.
  37. Web site: Opozita mbështet Trepçën. Politiko.net. 18 January 2015. https://archive.today/20150129162820/http://politiko.net/opozita-mbeshtet-trepcen/. 2015-01-29. dead.
  38. Web site: Opozita nuk lëshon pè për "Trepçën". Koha.net. 19 January 2015.
  39. Web site: Trepça, përplasje pozitë-opozitë në Kuvendin e Kosovës. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190101/http://www.top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=291564&rel1. dead. 4 March 2016. Top Channel. 21 January 2015.
  40. Web site: Ambasadori britanik Ian Cliff: Trepça është e Kosovës!. Zëri. 24 January 2015. 30 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150530093313/http://www.zeri.info/ekonomia/16629/ambasadori-britanik-ian-cliff-trepca-eshte-e-kosoves/. dead.
  41. Web site: Cliff: Trepça nuk duhet të bisedohet në Bruksel, është pronë e Kosovës. 24 January 2015.
  42. Web site: AAK: Mbështesim protestat gjithëpopullore, dënojmë dhunën. Gazeta Blic. 28 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203021102/http://gazetablic.com/aak-mbeshtesim-protestat-gjithepopullore-denojme-dhunen/. 3 February 2015. dead.
  43. Web site: Ramushi nuk terhiqe, AAK pjese e protestave. Gazeta Blic. 25 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203012909/http://gazetablic.com/ramushi-nuk-terhiqet-aak-pjese-e-protestave/. 3 February 2015. dead.
  44. Web site: Pacolli: Mustafa ta shkarkoj Jabllanoviqin. Bota Sot. 27 January 2015.
  45. Web site: Në Prishtinë protesta gjithëpopullore, Mustafa e Thaçi ikin, njëri në Pejë e tjetri në Arabi. Gazeta Blic. 24 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203012916/http://gazetablic.com/ne-prishtine-protesta-gjithepopullore-mustafa-e-thaci-ikin-njeri-ne-peje-e-tjetri-ne-arabi/. 3 February 2015. dead.
  46. Web site: Ende pa filluar protesta, mijëra protestues në Prishtinë (FOTO). Gazeta Blic. 24 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203014424/http://gazetablic.com/ende-pa-filluar-protesta-mijera-protestues-ne-prishtine/. 3 February 2015. dead.
  47. Web site: Protesta në fotografi. Gazeta Blic. 24 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203022609/http://gazetablic.com/protesta-ne-fotografi/. 3 February 2015. dead.
  48. Web site: Vetëvendosje: Jabllanoviq jashtë! Trepça është e jona!. Bota Sot. 22 January 2015.
  49. Web site: Protesters in Pristina rally over Trepca, Serb minister. B92 News. 26 January 2015.
  50. Web site: Presidentja Jahjaga Dënon Vandalizmin në Protestë. Kallxo. 24 January 2015. 3 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203012201/http://live.kallxo.com/sq/MTL/Presidentja-Jahjaga-Denon-Vandalizmin-ne-Proteste-4332. dead.
  51. Web site: Kosovo police clash with crowd at protest over minister. BBC News. 27 January 2015.
  52. Web site: Mustafa e Thaçi dënojnë dhunën, ftojnë për qetësi. KOHA.net. 27 January 2015.

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