POSSIBLE DISAPPEARANCE OF SERB COMMUNITY IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

BELGRADE, JULY 17 /SRNA/ – The Diocese of Raška-Prizren has stated today that the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church /SOC/ and the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija has become increasingly difficult, significantly worsened by the actions of Priština institutions toward the Serb community, and warned that the Serbian population could face complete disappearance from the area.

The Diocese particularly pointed to alleged violations of the rights of the SOC and its believers by the so-called Kosovo Police, accusing it of carrying out activities on the ground directed against members of the Serbian community and the Church. The statement said that Serbs no longer perceive the so-called Kosovo Police as an institution whose role is to protect and assist all citizens equally, but increasingly as a direct instrument of pressure aimed at making life more difficult for the Serbian people and the Church. "With deep regret, we must say that relations between the Serbian community and our Church with Kosovo institutions, and especially trust in the Kosovo Police, have never been at such a low level in the entire post-war period," the Diocese said. It added that this assessment was not based on a single isolated incident, but on a prolonged series of actions that could not be justified as individual failures and which, it said, were increasingly taking on the characteristics of systematic discrimination. The Diocese of Raška-Prizren warned that it firmly believes that, if the situation continues without an international response, the Serbian people could completely disappear from the area. "Recent international reports also point to worsening relations with the Serbian community, a low level of trust in institutions, highly provocative and aggressive actions by police, and measures that make access to basic public services more difficult and hinder the implementation of mechanisms protecting the rights of the Serbian community and the Church," the Diocese said. The statement referred to the recent observance of Vidovdan at Gazimestan on June 28, saying it demonstrated the depth of mistrust. It reminded that 37 Serbs, including one minor, were detained and that 36 remained in custody following a peacefully concluded memorial service, although police themselves stated that there had been no incidents endangering the gathering. The Diocese said no evidence had been presented that those detained had used force against police officers or any other citizens. "According to available information, proceedings were initiated primarily because of the singing of patriotic songs and other expressions of Serbian identity, which are permitted under the constitution and laws for all communities, including the Serbian community, but in practice their use by Serbs is prosecuted and punished, while similar actions by Kosovo Albanians are tolerated," the Diocese pointed out. The Diocese stressed that for years it had sought not to contribute to inflammatory rhetoric and had advocated for the rights of all citizens, raising concerns responsibly through direct discussions with international representatives and, when possible, with Priština institutions. "When problems are repeated, when agreements do not lead to changes on the ground, and when every warning is followed by new and more intense pressure, the Church has a duty to raise its voice," the statement stressed.