Serbia and Montenegro: Information on societal attitudes towards Serbs in Kosovo and the availability of protection (January 2003-February 2005)

Freedom House reported that approximately 85,000 Serbs continued to live in Kosovo (30 Nov. 2004), while Country Reports 2003 estimated that their number at closer to 100,000 (25 Feb. 2004). The Serb populations of Kosovo tend to be concentrated in the north (Mitrovica, Leposavic, Zvecan, Zubin Potok) and in the southern municipality of Strpce (United Kingdom May 2003). Kosovo Serbs face "intimidation" and "harassment" if they venture out of their enclaves (ibid.) It should also be noted that the freedom of movement of Kosovo Serbs who live in predominantly Albanian areas is limited (ibid.). In a June 2004 report, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated that a series of violent crimes directed at the Serb minority members "indicate[d] a deterioration in their security situation" in contrast with the improved general situation of minority communities in Kosovo, particularly regarding basic rights and services.

Violent attacks still occur in Kosovo and "tensions between communities are still very significant" (Koha Ditore 29 October 2004; see also IHF 23 June 2004 and UNHCR 13 Aug. 2004). Recent ethnic violence [March 2004] "highlight[ed] the persistent and strong resistance in Kosovo to Kosovo Serbs" (UNHCR 13 Aug. 2004).

The 14 February 2005 United Nations Secretary-General's report to the Security Council stated that the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PSIG) of Kosovo have yet to demonstrate their accountability for the security of Kosovo Serb and other communities. The report added that the security situation "has remained stable," that "no serious inter-ethnic crime" had occurred in Kosovo since June 2004, but that "freedom of movement remained precarious" (United Nations 14 Feb. 2005).

For more information on the incidence of violence in Kosovo, please consult SCG43391.E of 9 March 2005.

The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) reported that "inter-ethnic tensions, hostility and lack of mutual trust" marked the relationship between Kosovo Serbs and the Albanian majority (23 June 2004, 19).

The International Crisis Group (ICG) reported that the psychological effects of the war are still vivid in Kosovo and "Serb guilt for war crimes remains collective, not individual" in the eyes of Kosovo Albanians (24 Jan 2005, 8). As well, "war's patterns" blur with current "ethnic hostility"; "[w]est Kosovo is a difficult environment while east Kosovo, which experienced little fighting, is relatively relaxed" (ICG 24 Jan 2005, 8).

According to Country Reports 2003, the Serbian Orthodox Church is still viewed with hostility by the Albanian majority and several churches experienced vandalism and theft (25 Feb. 2004).

The ICG stated that Kosovo Albanians complained that Kosovo Serbs were too close to Belgrade, but that the Kosovo Albanians do very little to change this situation (24 Jan 2005, 14). The ICG also mentioned that Kosovo public television seemed "not to take the Kosovo Serbs' perspective into account" (24 Jan 2005, 14).

An Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) article indicated that the traditional perception is that there is no interaction between Kosovo Serb and Kosovo Albanian communities, but there are examples of multi-ethnic workplaces and villages in the southeast of Kosovo (8 Oct. 2004). The fact that the war had "relatively spared" this area is part of the explanation offered by the two neighbours interviewed, a Kosovo Serb and a Kosovo Albanian (IWPR 8 Oct. 2004).

Despite the overall pessimistic view that Kosovo Albanian society "looks backwards... rather than taking a problem-solving attitude toward the Serb minority, Belgrade and neighbouring states," a few civil society organisations attempt "to generate a more inclusive, multi-ethnic vision" (ICG 24 Jan. 2005, 8). Nonetheless, the UNHCR stated in a 13 August 2004 report that "forced or compelled returns of members of Serb, Roma, Ashkaelia, Egyptian and Kosovo Albanian minority communities should not take place."

A UNHCR report said that the destruction of "houses, churches or monasteries, religious institutions and public services, a few days after the departure of Serb populations, following the violent incidents of March 2004, "sends a strong message of denial of the right to return" (13 Aug. 2004). The UNHCR also provides the significant information that "[m]ost Serbs who have returned have done so to exclusively Serb communities," underscoring difficulties involved in returning elsewhere (24 Aug. 2004).

The IHF cited "a positive example" of how, on 2 July 2003, "high-level Kosovo Albanian leaders" made an official call to refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), including Serbs, to return to Kosovo "and to build their future there together" (23 June 2004, 17). As the IHF mentioned that a similar appeal was made in 2004, it also reported the discouraging impact of ongoing ethnically motivated violence against Kosovo Serbs (IHF 23 June 2004, 20).

Freedom House reported on the eight standards set by UNMIK that Kosovo must observe before the start of talks on its future status (30 Nov. 2004, 8). Among those conditions are "the introduction of conditions for the return of minority displaced persons and their reintegration into Kosovar society through improved freedom of movement and the resolution of residential disputes" (Freedom House 30 Nov. 2004, 8). More recently, the United Nations Secretary-General stated that none of the eight standards had been met (14 Feb. 2005).

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported that the head of mission of the United Nations Interim Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) had stated that he would resort to "[s]anctions and other disciplinary measures to ensure compliance by local officials with UN guidelines on security, minority rights and rule of law" (29 Nov. 2004).

For more information on the issue of property disputes and returns please consult SCG43390.E of 25 February 2005.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003. 25 February 2004. "Serbia and Montenegro." United States Department of State. Washington, DC. [Accessed 17 Feb. 2005]

Freedom House. 30 November 2004. Nations in Transit 2004. "Serbia and Montenegro." [Accessed 17 Feb. 2005]

Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). 8 October 2004. "Kosovo: quand la vie commune reste possible." (Le Courrier des Balkans). [Accessed 18 Feb. 2005]

International Crisis Group (ICG). 24 January 2005. Crisis Group Europe Report No. 161. "Kosovo: Toward Final Status." [Accessed 18 Feb. 2005]

International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF). 23 June 2004. Human Rights in the OSCE Region: Europe, Central Asia and North America, Report 2004 (Events of 2003). [Accessed 17 Feb. 2005]

Koha Ditore [Pristina, in Albanian]. 29 October 2004. "Déplacés du Kosovo : l'éternel retour." (Le Courrier des Balkans). [Accessed 1 Feb. 2005]

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 29 November 2004. Robert McMahon. "Official Urges Kosovars to Comply With UN." [Accessed 1 Feb. 2005]

United Nations. 14 February 2005. Security Council. "Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo." [Accessed 25 Feb. 2005]

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 24 August 2004. "Kosovo Minorities Still Need International Protection, Says UNHCR." [Accessed 18 Feb. 2005]
_____. . 13 August 2004. "UNHCR Position on the Continued International Protection Needs of Individuals from Kosovo." [Accessed 18 Feb. 2005]
_____. June 2004. "Update on the Kosovo Roma, Ashkaelia, Egyptian, Serb, Bosniak, Gorani and Albanian Communities in a Minority Situation." [Accessed 18 Feb. 2005]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sources, including: Le Courrier des Balkans, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), International Crisis Group (ICG), United Nations Interim Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), WNC.