The registration of newborns remains impossible in the North Mitrovica Municipality since February 1 of this year, according to information obtained by KoSSev from local administration sources.
The suspension of both birth and death registrations was first confirmed to KoSSev on March 18, nearly two months ago. At that time, municipal officials stated that the decision was based on a regulation issued by the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“It has been suspended for births and deaths since February 1. Pristina will provide better explanations as to why it was suspended. We don’t know because they did not give us any details, only instructing us to halt the process. We also don’t know if it will resume or if there will be a new regulation,” local officials said.
Shortly after the report about the suspension was published, a KoSSev journalist received threats from the official who initially confirmed the information.
No Response from Institutions
Since the confirmation that the administrative process was halted, KoSSev has repeatedly sought answers from multiple institutions, including the municipality itself. We have asked whether the process has resumed, why it was halted, and when it might start again.
Despite sending dozens of emails to both the North Mitrovica Municipality and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, no responses have been received. Phone lines remain either unreachable or unattended.
On April 2, acting as regular citizens, KoSSev reporters visited the municipal counter and were informed that birth and death registrations were still not possible. When asked why and for how long the situation would persist, municipal employees offered no concrete answers.
The situation remained unchanged when KoSSev once again visited the municipality today. Although given a leaflet listing the necessary documents for newborn registration, officials confirmed that the process had not yet begun and was pending approval from Pristina. Efforts to reach the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs for clarification also remained unsuccessful.
Ministry’s Announcement Raises More Questions
On April 28, the Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement outlining the procedures for registrations since February 1. It reminded the public of the three-month deadline for registration with Serbian documents and mentioned the process related to post-February 1 registrations.
According to the statement, additional declarations are required for registering births and deaths that occurred after February 1, 2025, within Kosovo’s territory, particularly for cases occurring outside healthcare facilities or lacking formal certification. Citizens must file for supplementary registration via a statement at civil status offices within their respective municipalities.
Unofficial sources from the North Mitrovica Municipality indicated that the declaration in question likely needs to be notarized.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
