Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) published today during a press release the findings from the monitoring of the work of Communities Committees in the Municipality of Prizren and Dragash.

Naim Cahanaj from KDI stated the problem of non-functional Communities Committees in the Municipality of Prizren and Dragash with regards to the fulfilment of their legal obligations. According to him, “the Communities Committee in Prizren, since its establishment on 15 March 2018, has held only two meetings, while the Communities Committee in the Municipality of Dragash has carried out more activities during this year, namely held 4 meetings during this period. Due to their failure to fulfil their legal obligations, the issues and interests of minority communities are not addressed in decision-making processes”.

Almedin Fejza from KDI continued with other findings and the issue of communities not observing laws. “In addition to the non-fulfilment of obligations deriving from the Law on Local Self Government, Communities Committees in two of monitored municipalities did not observe even other sector laws, including the Law on Gender Equality and Law on Use Languages”. According to him, ‘failure to comply with the law when summoning meetings, lack of adequate translation during the sessions, failure to represent gender quota’ are only some of negative aspects that have accompanied the work of committees during this period”. Communities Committee in Dragash, despite the assessment of MLGA that the composition of the Committee is in contradiction with the Law on Gender Equality, the composition of this Committee remains the same.

Specifying the importance of the Deputy Mayor for Communities, he added “failure to elect the Deputy Mayor in the Municipality of Prizren is a gap in fulfilment of legal criteria with regards to the representation of interests of minority communities in this municipality”.

In view of strengthening and representing communities in local institutions, KDI recommends the Mayor of Prizren to remedy, as soon as possible, the issue of non-electing the Deputy Mayor for Communities. He also recommends Chairs of Assemblies of the Municipality of Prizren and Dragash to take adequate measures to improve the level of the work of Communities Committees based on legal responsibilities and obligations deriving within the functionalization of these mechanisms. At the same time, he requires from representatives of political entities of minority communities, and chairs of Committees to increase their engagement in these mechanisms, as well as to increase their accountability towards fulfilling interests of minority communities in relevant municipalities.