Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Prishtina [Pristina], 26 May: The deputy head of the Consultative Council for Communities, Ylber Hysa, said today that the document on minorities contains the most advanced standards for their rights, and as such it will help improving the lives of all communities.
Hysa made these comments after the meeting of the Consultative Council for Communities, which was focused on preparations for the Thessaloniki meeting.
"The document was introduced and the last inputs are expected to be added before the Thessaloniki meeting, which will be attended by relevant institutions involved on minority and human rights issues, including the Council of Europe," Hysa said.
He said that Vienna will be directly involved in the process, so that the document then can be included in the final document for the status.
"We agreed that representatives of each community and three representatives of the Serb community in Kosova [Kosovo] should be involved and contribute directly with their views in drafting the document, so that we reach a final document which shall be tabled in talks on status non-related issues," Hysa explained.
However, according to Hysa, the Serb party has not expressed any readiness to be part of the process, "but even without the Serb party, we will continue the work with the consent of Vienna".
"It is a voluminous document that includes the most advanced standards for community rights, including the right on representation, language rights and rights at the municipal level. It also addresses many other things that the minorities raised," Hysa said.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 26 May 06
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1 comment:
Kosovo's minorities have had basic human rights on paper all the time under UN rule. But somehow that didn't translate very well in practice.
So now we are in a situation were there is a need for stronger measures. That means structures that provide a greater probability that the rights will actually be respected. We need guarantees - not just standards.
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