The Republic of Kosova as the youngest country in the world, established after many years of its existence, with its ancient Illyrian origin, includes minorities as well. Although its current territory is small, the diversity of its population is great. It consists of Turks, Gorani, Ashkali, Serbs, Egyptians, Croats, etc.., with the Serb minority being the largest one.
This population has settled in Kosova at different period of times, mainly and mostly after the withdrawal of the Ottoman Empire, following the declaration of the independence of Albania in 1912, then in the following years 1913, 1914 and onwards, while on the basis of the international treaties, when the Albanian lands, in this case Kosova, were annexed. These long periods of settling of the Albanian lands with Serbs had changed the demographic picture of Kosova.
Nowadays, with the declaration of independence of Kosova in 2008, the Serb minority have been granted all of the maximum rights that a minority in the world might have. Their rights are as large as to some extent the majority population, the Albanians, let alone other minorities which are almost same in the number as Serbs are, feel discriminated.
Kosova institutions have opened their doors and reserved seats in every institutional aspect.
However, this is not satisfying the Serb minority, where the desire of being the first is making them blind, their involvement within the institutions is very much a formal one, as to get double benefits, whereas their contribution to the institutions of the Republic of Kosova is very minimal.
The reason for choosing this subject for study is the one that, despite the fact that Serb minority has been given all the opportunities for a better life in Kosova, they still lack the willingness to contribute as any other minority in the world. Every country in the world in itself has got minorities, Kosova has minorities as well and the fact that Serbs may also be a minority in a country is not properly understood by them.
In fact, the entire world understands this situation, but their unfair attitude towards the Republic of Kosova, behaving like its masters, thinking that one should always serve them, by thanking them day and night, is immensely damaging Kosova.
Everyone knows and we know it as well that the Serb minority is exaggeratedly spoiled and that the Serbian politics is very active in Europe, while the Serb minority in Kosova is only a tool used by them.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The declaration of the independence of Kosova and the rights of Serb minorities per the Constitution of the Republic of Kosova
3. The attitude of Serb minority towards the institutions of the Republic of Kosova
3.1 The attitude of Serb minority towards the Kosova Police
3.2 The attitude of Serb minority towards education institutions
3.3 The attitude of Serb minority towards judicial institutions
3.4 The attitude of Serb minority towards municipalities
4. Serbia’s funding in Kosova’s Serbian minority
5. Serbian Criminal armed Structures in the Republic of Kosova
6. Summary
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary research objective is to examine the political and social integration of the Serb minority within the institutional framework of the Republic of Kosova. The study analyzes the discrepancy between the extensive rights granted to the Serb minority by the Constitution and their persistent refusal to constructively engage with state institutions, often driven by external pressures and political interference from Serbia.
- The impact of institutional rights and constitutional guarantees on minority integration.
- The role of external Serbian government influence in shaping minority attitudes.
- Institutional boycotts and the influence of illegal parallel structures.
- The challenges of reconciling nationalist political rhetoric with the reality of an independent Kosova.
- The relationship between financial dependency on Serbia and civic cooperation.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 THE ATTITUDE OF SERB MINORITY TOWARDS THE KOSOVA POLICE
Until its declaration of the Independence, Kosova Police was initially named the Kosova Police Service. Since its establishment, “based on decision by the OSCE Permanent Council, No. 305, of July 1st 1999”12 Kosova Police had consisted of citizens from all communities.
Therefore, this institution had its primary aim to serve all the citizens without racial, colour, religious or any other distinction.
At the very moment of the Kosova’s independence, where besides it, its name had changed from the Kosova Police Service into the Kosova Police, Serb members of this institution did not accept such a thing.
They immediately boycotted the Kosova Police, by leaving their posts.
Thus, as a reaction to the declaration of independence, almost all of the Serbs left their jobs, due to their non-acceptance and had set conditions for return, by stating that they would only return if they would not be held accountable before the Government of the Republic of Kosova, by seeking further leadership from UNMIK.
To this end, the Serb KPS officers had stated that they “do not want to work as police members of so called Independent state of Kosovo”.13.
This kind of behaviour of Serb minority, without any doubt was and is prompted by the large influence of Serbia in their lives, from the fear and intimidation that is committed to them, by qualifying them as patriots or traitors, but also by not accepting the fact that Albanians today are not any longer as second or third hand.
Their rebellion and resistance did not last for long and their return to Kosova Police occurred quickly, by comparing it to the great word “never”.14
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the historical context of minorities in Kosova and the research motivation regarding the Serb minority's lack of institutional cooperation despite guaranteed rights.
2. The declaration of the independence of Kosova and the rights of Serb minorities per the Constitution of the Republic of Kosova: Reviews the constitutional framework and the extensive rights granted to the Serb minority in the new sovereign state.
3. The attitude of Serb minority towards the institutions of the Republic of Kosova: Analyzes the specific resistance of the Serb minority across four key sectors: police, education, justice, and local government.
4. Serbia’s funding in Kosova’s Serbian minority: Investigates the economic reliance of the Serb minority on Belgrade and how patronage networks are used to maintain political control.
5. Serbian Criminal armed Structures in the Republic of Kosova: Discusses the persistence of illegal security structures and the detrimental impact of external interference on law and order.
6. Summary: Concludes that the political conditioning of the Serb minority prevents the realization of benefits offered by the state and urges for a transition toward constructive cooperation.
Keywords
Kosova, Serb minority, Republic of Kosova, institutional integration, independence, Serbian government, parallel structures, civil rights, Constitution, political influence, Balkan politics, ethnic relations, security, cooperation, institutional boycott.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work focuses on the attitude and behavior of the Serb minority in the Republic of Kosova toward the state's official institutions following independence in 2008.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include institutional integration, the influence of Serbian state policies on the local Serb population, the role of financial aid in maintaining political influence, and the impact of illegal parallel structures.
What is the central research question?
The research seeks to understand why the Serb minority refuses to engage with Kosova's institutions despite being granted maximal rights and protections within the new democratic state.
Which methodology is employed?
The author uses a descriptive and analytical approach, combining historical overview, legal document analysis (Constitution), and a qualitative review of media reports and field interviews.
What does the main body address?
It systematically reviews the Serb minority's approach to the Police, education, the judicial system, and municipalities, while also analyzing the role of Serbian government funding and illegal armed structures.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Keywords include Kosova, Serb minority, institutional integration, independence, parallel structures, and ethnic relations.
How does external influence from Serbia impact the situation?
The book argues that Serbian political interference creates a "farce" where the minority is manipulated into boycotting local institutions to satisfy Belgrade’s geopolitical objectives.
What is the significance of the "Bridge Guards" mentioned in the text?
They serve as an example of illegal structures organized to block integration, gather information, and prevent the functioning of Kosova's security institutions in the northern territories.
What does the author conclude about the future?
The author concludes that continuing to follow extremist narratives is damaging to the Serb minority and that integration offers benefits that are currently being squandered for political propaganda.
- Arbeit zitieren
- M.Sc. Naser Sopjani (Autor:in), 2012, The attitude of Serb minority towards the institutions of the Republic of Kosova, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/202472
