Kamberi seeks minister's dismissal over alleged ethnic cleansing remarks

Šaip Kamberi, a Member of Parliament for the Party of Democratic Action in the Serbian Assembly, announced on July 14 that he will request the dismissal of Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Snežana Paunović. The demand stems from a statement made by Paunović, in which she allegedly said she would have ethnically cleansed Kosovo and Metohija of Albanians if she had been in Slobodan Milošević's position in 1998.

Kamberi stated on Facebook that he has also requested a reaction from "relevant international embassies" in Belgrade regarding the minister's remarks. He stressed that Serbia, as a candidate country for European Union membership, has a duty to respect and protect the rights of minority communities.

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As a country candidate for membership in the European Union, Serbia has an obligation to respect and protect the rights of minority communities. Such statements are in direct conflict with these obligations and exceed any democratic standard on which the EU is based.

"Such statements are in direct conflict with these obligations and exceed any democratic standard on which the EU is based," Kamberi wrote. He affirmed his intention as a Serbian MP to initiate the process for the minister's removal from office.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions and the sensitivity surrounding ethnic relations and historical events in the region. Kamberi's call for accountability underscores the importance of adhering to democratic principles and minority rights protections, particularly for a nation aspiring to join the EU.

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As a member of the Serbian Parliament, I will initiate the request for the minister's dismissal.