Outgoing Kosovo Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu visited North Mitrovica on Friday, holding a series of meetings focused on tackling sexual harassment. The visit included discussions with local police officials, prosecutors, and judicial representatives at the Kosovo Police regional headquarters, where Haxhiu emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence.
In a brief interview with KoSSev following the meetings, Haxhiu underscored that „every form of sexual harassment is unacceptable, whether it happens on the street, at work, or in schools.“ She reminded the public that sexual harassment is a criminal offense under Kosovo law and punishable accordingly.
The minister said the purpose of the visit was to ensure that such cases are handled professionally and sensitively by law enforcement and judicial institutions. „Every girl should be treated with professionalism and made to feel safe,“ Haxhiu stated, adding that Kosovo institutions are taking these cases seriously and acting with responsibility.
She also stressed the importance of civil society involvement, noting that the Ministry of Justice has been working in partnership with NGOs on initiatives to combat sexual harassment. „Organizations from North Mitrovica were also present at the meeting. I am open to strengthening cooperation with any organization from North Mitrovica or other Serb-majority regions,“ she said.
Haxhiu announced plans to return to North Mitrovica for follow-up discussions with civil society representatives focused on the same topic.
New Police Patrols Equipped with Body Cameras
In a related development, Deputy Regional Police Commander Veton Elshani announced the implementation of a new operational plan aimed at preventing sexual harassment. He confirmed that, as of yesterday, new patrol units have been deployed in specific areas of North Mitrovica—some equipped with body cameras and tasked specifically with preventing harassment.
Haxhiu on the Promenade Incident: No Detailed Information
Haxhiu visited North Mitrovica on the same day an ethnically charged incident broke out on the main pedestrian promenade during a local high school graduation celebration.
Incident occurred after a café patron, reportedly of Albanian ethnicity, made the double-headed eagle hand gesture—a national symbol—toward Serbian students, who responded with obscene gestures. The situation escalated quickly, with police intervening. A video circulating online shows an officer grabbing a student by the neck and speaking to him in Albanian, accusing him of provocation—raising concerns over the conduct of law enforcement.
Asked to comment, Minister Haxhiu said she lacked detailed information about the incident and reiterated that her visit focused on sexual harassment cases.
„The police are here to provide safety to all citizens,“ she said. „As Minister of Justice, my priority is that citizens in North Mitrovica feel safe. Since I don’t have detailed information, I cannot comment further.“
Addressing Interethnic Tensions
Pressed about what steps she, as a minister and member of the outgoing government, could take to ease growing interethnic tensions in the divided city, Haxhiu said safety of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, is essential.
„It’s important that every citizen, regardless of ethnicity, feels safe here. Of course, verbal conflict between two ethnic groups must be treated seriously,“ she said, adding that she believes the government is already setting examples of cooperation and communication „without hate or similar actions.“
No Response to ’Guilty Before Proven’ Statements
At the end of the interview, Haxhiu was also asked to comment on often public statements made by her and other officials who have described recently arrested individuals from the north as „criminals“ — often before legal proceedings have begun.
Due to translation issues, a clear answer was not obtained. When asked to respond in English, Haxhiu declined, calling it a „complicated“ and „sensitive“ matter. She then concluded the interview, citing time constraints as she returned to Pristina.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
