Dealing with illegal Serb minority structures in Kosova, as well as Serbia’s and International
community’s stance towards them is more than necessary, as these illegal structures are the
greatest danger not only for Kosova's statehood, but also for stability in the region. Serbia's
stance towards them is a destructive one, since not only that she has established them, she has
also funded them at all times. On the other side, the international community not only that
they have allowed their establishment and functioning, by not taking any measures against
those structures, however, she instead after the declaration of independence of Kosova is
trying to impose the Kosovan institutions that they are legalized.
Given that we are dealing with a topic about which, thousands of pages can be written, this
paper seeks to address this problem in brief, so that the reader can have a quick access into
this phenomenon, which is producing only instability and insecurity in Kosova and in the
Balkans. The unequal treatment of the Albanian majority population vis-à-vis the Serb
minority in Kosova by the international community represents a disturbing fact and produces
an additional uncertainty to the Albanian majority population in Kosova.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
2 THE SERB MINORITY IN KOSOVA, ITS ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND THE ROLE OF SERBIA
2.1 DISREGARDING OF KOSOVA POLICE CHAIN OF COMMAND BY THE SERB MINORITY
2.2 SERBIA’S BEHAVIOUR AFTER THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF KOSOVA
2.3 PERSECUTION AND PUNISHMENT OF SERBIAN WAR CRIMINALS
3 THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONALS IN COMBATING OF SERB CRIME AND SETTING THE RULE OF LAW IN KOSOVA
Research Objectives and Themes
This work examines the existence and impact of illegal Serbian structures within Kosovo, analyzing how these entities threaten regional stability and the rule of law. It further critiques the international community's inconsistent response to these structures and the ongoing legal challenges regarding the prosecution of war criminals.
- The formation and operational status of illegal Serbian parallel structures in Kosovo.
- The impact of these structures on the functionality of the Kosovo Police and local institutions.
- The critique of international missions (UNMIK, EULEX) in maintaining regional stability.
- The diplomatic and political challenges regarding Serbia's non-recognition of Kosovo.
- The historical and ongoing difficulties in the prosecution and punishment of war criminals.
Excerpt from the Book
2 THE SERB MINORITY IN KOSOVA, ITS ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND THE ROLE OF SERBIA
Serbian enclaves represent the main problem or the obstacle in combating the organized crime, where the hand of the law and police does not cover them properly since 1999. This is also confirmed by the fact that not only border control in the north of Mitrovica is not functioning, but in February 2008, the police and customs check points No.1 and No. 31 were torched down and destroyed by the Serbs. Another painful fact is represented also on the date of March 5th, 2009, when, that time General Director of the Kosovan Police, Sheremet Ahmeti, and former chief of EULEX Police, Rainer Kuehn were prevented by Serb groups to visit police stations in Leposavic, Zvecan and Zubin Potok, and as well as the border check point no. 31.
The vice chairman of the Serb National Council in Kosova, Rada Trajkovic, told in a meeting in Caglavica near Prishtina in September 2008 that she had thought that the burning and destruction of the border check points in the northern part of Mitrovica by the Serbs was "a demonstration against the independence or some kind of support for the Serbian system". Later on, she observed how goods and fuel without tax smuggled into Kosova, which, according to her, could lead to the establishment of a criminal network.
Summary of Chapters
1 INTRODUCTION: This chapter outlines the scope of the paper, identifying illegal Serbian structures as a primary threat to Kosovo's statehood and regional stability while critiquing the international community's passive stance.
2 THE SERB MINORITY IN KOSOVA, ITS ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND THE ROLE OF SERBIA: This section details the obstruction of law enforcement by Serbian enclaves, the failure of the Kosovo Police chain of command in the north, and the broader Serbian efforts to undermine Kosovo's independence.
2.1 DISREGARDING OF KOSOVA POLICE CHAIN OF COMMAND BY THE SERB MINORITY: This chapter focuses on the refusal of Serbian police officers to follow the Kosovo Police hierarchy and the subsequent political complexities of their suspension and eventual return to duty.
2.2 SERBIA’S BEHAVIOUR AFTER THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF KOSOVA: This chapter analyzes Serbia's active diplomatic and clandestine efforts to obstruct international recognition of Kosovo and its continued support for parallel administrative structures.
2.3 PERSECUTION AND PUNISHMENT OF SERBIAN WAR CRIMINALS: This section evaluates the efficacy of the UN War Crimes Tribunal, discussing the challenges of prosecuting suspects and the perceived disparities in international justice.
3 THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONALS IN COMBATING OF SERB CRIME AND SETTING THE RULE OF LAW IN KOSOVA: This chapter critiques the performance of UNMIK and EULEX, specifically focusing on the failure to restore the rule of law in northern Kosovo and the legal contradictions in their missions.
Keywords
Kosovo, Serbia, Illegal Structures, Rule of Law, UNMIK, EULEX, War Crimes, Organized Crime, Independence, Sovereignty, Parallel Structures, Mitrovica, International Community, Stability, Law Enforcement
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The work analyzes the presence of illegal Serbian structures in Kosovo and the impact of these entities on the state’s stability, law enforcement, and regional integration.
What are the central themes discussed in this paper?
The primary themes include the defiance of Kosovo's legal institutions, the role of Serbian influence in northern Kosovo, the limitations of international missions (UNMIK/EULEX), and the challenges of pursuing war crimes.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The research aims to provide a brief yet comprehensive overview of the phenomenon of illegal structures in Kosovo, explaining why they persist and the risks they pose to the Balkans.
Which scientific approach is utilized?
The author employs a political and legal analysis, supported by current events, official statements, and empirical data gathered from reports and media documentation during the post-independence period.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body focuses on police chain of command issues, the aftermath of Kosovo's declaration of independence, the role of international judicial bodies, and the influence of Serbian political propaganda.
What are the defining keywords of the work?
The core keywords include Kosovo, Serbia, parallel structures, rule of law, international community, war crimes, and state sovereignty.
How does the author characterize the role of UNMIK in northern Kosovo?
The author portrays UNMIK’s actions as confusing and inconsistent, arguing that the mission failed to implement international laws fairly and refrained from effectively enforcing the rule of law in Serbian enclaves.
What is the author's stance on the prosecution of war criminals?
The author argues that while international tribunals have brought some criminals to justice, the process has been difficult and often hindered by political considerations and the perceived unequal treatment of different ethnic groups.
- Quote paper
- Enver Sopjani (Author), 2012, Illegal structures of Serb minority in Kosova and the stance of Serbia and International Community towards them, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/202167
