Kosovo NGOs File Complaint Over Alleged Unlawful Police Conduct

A coalition of five civil society organizations has lodged a formal complaint with the Ombudsperson Institution in Pristina, Kosovo, citing what they describe as a "systemic pattern of unlawful and irregular conduct" by the Kosovo Police. The groups allege that police have increasingly assumed administrative, executive, and judicial powers that exceed their legal authority.

In their complaint, the organizations document numerous cases where police allegedly carried out demolitions and property seizures without court orders or the presence of authorized enforcement bodies. They also point to instances of verbal bans on entry or movement, issued without written decisions or the right to appeal. The NGOs expressed concern over a "rapid deterioration" on the ground, stating that police actions are undermining human rights and the rule of law.

The complaint highlights that police officers have reportedly dismissed permits issued by local authorities as invalid, effectively acting as a court. These practices are said to be frequent in Serb-majority areas and are often associated with the discovery of national symbols. This raises serious concerns about potential ethnic discrimination. The organizations involved in filing the complaint are the New Social Initiative, Aktiv, CASA, InTER, and ACDC.

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These are not isolated incidents, but a dangerous trend that undermines the legal security of all citizens.