The Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) is concerned about ongoing and grave human rights challenges in Kosovo. Particular concern should be paid to the justice sector and to the security, freedom of movement, discrimination and access to public services, such as education for internally displaced persons and minority community members (19-FEB-08)

Text taken from www.nhc.no and republished here by Nina Luhr/ HRH OSLO

NHC has not taken a position on the status issue, but has considered that a solution should be sought as soon as possible, out of concern for stability and nationalist radicalisation in the region.  There is serious concern that the institutional, political and economic preconditions for a well-functioning state are weak in Kosovo, which makes transition all the more difficult and, thus, a focus on human rights monitoring and prioritization all the more important.

The human rights situation is often left to the wayside in the interests of short-term political goals requiring the presentation of a rosier picture of the situation on the ground. Institutionalisation of the rule of law and respect for human rights are imperative, however, in the endeavour to foster a human-rights-respecting government and lasting peace. Yet, under United Nations Mission in Kosovo such consideration has too often been understood to be in conflict with short-term political goals, which has created at best an unfortunate role model.

To read the whole statement .