Author: Aleksandra Vrbica

The report identifies a growing gap between central strategic planning and practical implementation at the local level. Additionally, the report highlights the lack of local empirical research on radicalization, institutional failure in formalizing Multidisciplinary Referral Mechanisms across municipalities, a critical shortage of school psychologists due to municipal recruitment delays, and the formal functioning of Municipal Community Safety Councils (MSCS), especially in northern municipalities where such mechanisms are non-functional and no concrete steps have been taken to address ethno-nationalism and other forms of extremism highlighted in the four previous reports.

To mark the report launch, BIRN Kosovo organized a conference to present its main findings and bring together partners, representatives of relevant institutions, and civil society. During the conference, Mensur Hoti, director of the Department for Public Security at the Ministry of Interior, Kreshnik Gashi, editor-in-chief of KALLXO.com, and Labinot Leposhtica, team leader of the monitoring team, emphasized the importance of concrete steps and measures to address the current situation with extremism and terrorism in Kosovo.

More concretely, Mensur Hoti highlighted the importance of the National Strategy and the cooperation with various civil society organizations during the implementation phase of the GCERF-funded projects in Kosovo. This cooperation was aimed at since the initial phases of drafting the strategy to ensure, among other things, an independent evaluation by civil society of the institutional work and results achieved. Regarding BIRN’s published reports, Hoti stated that the findings and recommendations offer a crucial mechanism for long-term institutional improvement and future policy steps in Kosovo. By establishing a vital, independent external evaluation, the report ultimately counters institutional subjectivity and self-complacency, ensuring that performance is no longer judged solely by the institutions themselves.

The authors of the report, Kreshnik Gashi and Labinot Leposhtica, presented the report’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations, highlighted the importance of involving civil society organizations in countering various forms of extremism, and argued for the need for Kosovo institutions. Moreover, this is the fifth report published on the implementation of the “Prevention” objective for the period July 2023 – May 2026, comparing the strategic obligations with the actual actions taken by the relevant institutions.

Additionally, as a contribution to the field in Kosovo, BIRN Kosovo has launched an educational platform designed primarily for journalists, offering accessible training at no cost. This platform includes three training modules specifically tailored to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex issues related to extremism and terrorism. By enhancing their understanding of these critical themes, journalists will be better prepared to report responsibly and effectively on these sensitive topics, ultimately contributing to more informed public discourse and awareness.

Present at the launch conference were 23 participants, of whom 12 were women.

The report is accessible in three languages:

The report in Albanian, click here.

The report in Serbian, click here.

The report in English, click here.

The educational platform is accessible here.

This activity falls under the ‘Resilient and Inclusive Community Program’ project, funded by GCERF and implemented by the organizations ATRC, BIRN, CBM, and Rin’on.

On June 24, BIRN Kosovo launched the research report “Barriers to Equal Participation in the Property Rights Governance System in Kosovo” during a conference organised in cooperation with the Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC), with support from the World Bank’s State and Peacebuilding Fund (SPF).

The report examines the structural, legal and administrative obstacles that prevent citizens from exercising their property rights equally, with a focus on women, non-majority communities and other citizens affected by unresolved inheritance procedures and informal construction.

Opening the conference, ATRC Executive Director Kushtrim Kaloshi said that while Kosovo has a legal framework for the protection of property rights, implementation remains the key challenge.

Dhurata Gutaj, Chief-of-Staff at the Ministry of Justice, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to legal reforms, including the adoption of the Civil Code, which is expected to further clarify and consolidate legislation on property and inheritance rights.

The report’s main findings were presented by PIAKOS Programme Manager, Odeta Naks, who said Kosovo’s property crisis largely stems from delayed inheritance procedures, properties remaining registered in the names of deceased owners, the exclusion of women from ownership despite legal guarantees, documentation barriers affecting non-majority communities, and the widespread informality resulting from unlegalized construction.

The research found that nearly 30 per cent of registered property owners in Kosovo have died without inheritance procedures being initiated, leaving around 200,000 properties effectively frozen outside the formal market. At the same time, women own only 21 per cent of registered properties, while more than 350,000 buildings across the country remain unlegalized.

The report also points to a significant burden on Kosovo’s justice system. As of January 1, 2026, courts were handling 35,496 unresolved property disputes, while the Special Chamber of the Supreme Court would require at least another 15 years to resolve its current caseload if the pace of adjudication remains unchanged.

Digital interoperability between institutions was identified as one of the key reforms necessary to address these challenges. Report co-author and digitalization expert Marko Arula explained Estonia’s transition from paper-based administration to a fully digital governance model, emphasizing the role of electronic registries, digital identity systems and secure data exchange between institutions.

Representatives of public institutions, the judiciary, international organisations, local government and civil society attending the event discussed the report’s findings through two expert panels aimed at promoting a more inclusive and efficient property rights system in Kosovo. There were 54 participants in total.

The first discussion panel, moderated by BIRN Kosovo Director Jeta Xharra, focused on inheritance procedures, legalization of informal construction and institutional coordination in the property sector.

Panelists featured Hajzer Bublaku, Legal Specialist at the Kosovo Cadastral Agency, Violeta Demaj, Senior Political Adviser at the European Union Office in Kosovo, Arlinda Alshiqi, Senior Legal Officer at the Ministry of Justice, Ermir Ahmetaj, Judge at the Basic Court in Prishtina, and Rame Hamzaj, Head of the Housing Division at the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure.

The discussion focused on progress and remaining challenges in Kosovo’s property sector, including the increase in property registration by women following recent legal reforms. Panelists also discussed unresolved cadastral issues, delays in property-related court proceedings, and the need for stronger digital interoperability between institutions.

The second panel, moderated by Kreshnik Gashi, Editor-in-Chief of KALLXO.com and co-author of the research report, featured Burim Tahiri, Director of the Department for Legal Affairs and Research at the Ombudsperson Institution, Adrijana Hoxhić, Deputy Mayor of North Mitrovica Municipality, Arbena Shehu, notary, and Bekim Sejdiu, Professor of International Law at the University of Prishtina.

The discussion focused on the systematic discrimination faced by women and non-majority communities in exercising property rights, challenges related to property registration and legalization, the functioning of institutional mechanisms, and the impact of judicial delays on the realization of property rights.

This report was produced by BIRN Kosovo) for the Public Information and Awareness Services for Vulnerable Communities (PIAKOS) project, financed by the World Bank-State for Peace Building Multi-Donor Trust fund, and implemented by the Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC).

On June 25, BIRN Kosovo concluded its documentary series on missing persons from the war and the lasting trauma this has created in Kosovo society in front of an audience at Reporting House in Prishtina.

The documentary presents the stories of persons who disappeared during the war in Kosovo and the pain endured by families who, for more than two decades, continue to live with uncertainty, waiting and the absence of their loved ones.

Through personal testimonies and moving accounts, the film revisits the memories of those who continue to seek truth and justice for family members who remain missing.

More than two decades after the end of the war, the fate of around 170 people from Prishtina, Fushe Kosova, Obiliq, Lipjan and Gračanica remains unresolved. Behind every case are families who continue to live with the pain of loss and the hope of one day learning the truth about their loved ones.

This closing event was attended by Acting President of Kosovo Albulena Haxhiu, who said the conclusion of this project does not mark the end of the stories or of the families’ search for the truth about the fate of their loved ones who disappeared during the war.

According to Haxhiu, the documentaries and public discussions organised as part of the project “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo” have helped bring renewed attention to the pain and uncertainty endured by families.

“For the families of forcibly disappeared persons, there is only one demand: to know where their loved ones are,” Haxhiu said. She added that while missing persons are often reduced to statistics, documentaries such as Unfolding the Truth restore the human stories behind the numbers.

Acting Deputy Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo Eva Palatova told the audience that while the event marked the conclusion of a project, it did not signify the end of the shared commitment to truth, justice and reconciliation.

She said the documentary and the discussions surrounding it serve as an important reminder that the search for truth and justice must continue.

“Remembering the missing and standing alongside their families is not only an act of solidarity, but also a responsibility. In the European Union, we care about the past, transitional justice and reconciliation,” Palatova said.

Palatova added that the EU has long supported transitional justice and reconciliation processes across the Western Balkans, including in Kosovo, stressing that such processes must be inclusive, locally led and grounded in international law.

Following the screening, a panel discussion brought together representatives of institutions and organisations working on issues related to missing persons and transitional justice.

Participants discussed the challenges to efforts to uncover the fate of missing persons, as well as the importance of institutional cooperation, accountability and preserving public memory.

The panel, moderated by journalist and BIRN executive director Jeta Xharra, featured Ilir Morina from the Special Prosecution Office, Kushtrim Gara from the Government Commission on Missing Persons, Ditor Haliti from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Aleksandar Rapajić from the Advocacy Center for Democracy and Culture (ACDC), and Kreshnik Gashi from KALLXO.com.

The discussion focused on the challenges in uncovering the fate of missing persons, the importance of inter-institutional cooperation, the role of forensic investigations and prosecutions, and the need to preserve public attention on one of the most painful unresolved consequences of the Kosovo war.

The screening and discussion were attended by family members of missing persons, representatives of institutions, civil society organisations, international partners, diplomats, journalists and citizens, highlighting the continued public and institutional interest in resolving the fate of those who remain missing more than two decades after the war. Of the 49 participants, 26 were women.

This event was organised in the framework of “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo”, a project funded by the European Union.

The online event focused on the growing challenge of technology-facilitated violence against women (TFVAW) and explored ways to strengthen regional responses through improved media reporting, legal protections and cross-sector cooperation.

Opening the roundtable, Arita Suhodolli, Program Manager at BIRN Kosovo, presented the objectives of the project and highlighted the increasing prevalence of digital violence against women and girls, emphasising the need for coordinated action by media, institutions and civil society actors.

Flaka Isufi, Researcher and Monitor at BIRN Hub, presented the first session on the monitoring of digital violence against women, featuring cases and media reporting practices The presentation highlighted various forms of online gender-based violence, including online harassment and the non-consensual sharing of intimate content, while also examining how media outlets report on such cases. The findings identified both positive reporting practices and challenges related to victim protection, privacy and adherence to ethical standards.

Labinot Leposhtica, Legal Office Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo, led the second session, which focused on the legal and regulatory framework governing media reporting on violence against women. Participants discussed relevant legislation, ethical obligations and institutional responsibilities, while also addressing gaps in implementation and the need for greater compliance with professional standards to ensure responsible and victim-sensitive reporting.

During the third session, Visar Prebreza, Managing Editor at BIRN Kosovo, examined the role of disinformation in media reporting on violence against women cases. The discussion focused on how inaccurate or sensationalised reporting can influence public perceptions, contribute to victim-blaming narratives, and undermine trust in justice processes. Participants emphasised the importance of fact-based reporting and responsible editorial practices when covering cases of gender-based violence.

The final thematic session featured a case study presented by Xhorxhina Bami, journalist at Balkan Insight, on the AlbKings network and TikTok-facilitated online abuse. The presentation explored the ways online platforms can be used to target and exploit women and girls, the mechanisms through which harmful content spreads, and the challenges journalists face when investigating and reporting on online abuse networks.

The event concluded with an open discussion, during which participants exchanged experiences and perspectives on regional trends, challenges and opportunities for cooperation. Discussions underscored the importance of responsible journalism, effective legal safeguards and coordinated institutional responses to address digital violence against women.

A total of 21 participants attended the online roundtable, including journalists, civil society activists and researchers from Kosovo and Albania. Of the participants, 17 were women.

The roundtable contributed to raising awareness of technology-facilitated violence against women and fostering dialogue among key stakeholders on strengthening prevention, improving media reporting practices, enhancing accountability and supporting survivors of digital violence. It also encouraged greater regional cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by online gender-based violence.

This activity is organised by BIRN in the framework of the regional programme “EU 4 Gender Equality: Women’s Economic Empowerment and Ending Violence against Women,” funded by the European Union and implemented jointly by UN Women and UNDP.

The views and opinions expressed in this press release are those of the organizers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of UN Women, the United Nations, or the donor.

On June 9, BIRN Kosovo screened a documentary on missing persons from the region of Ferizaj as part of a broader series of public discussions on transitional justice and missing persons in Kosovo.

Produced as part of the EU-funded project “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo,” the documentary highlights the lasting impact of war crimes on families and communities across the region of Ferizaj.

It included stories and testimonies from the families of missing people from the region of Ferizaj, and from representatives of relevant institutions addressing the grievances of the past in Kosovo.

The documentary was produced following more than 200 hours of interviews with family members of missing persons, witnesses, and individuals involved in the search and identification process.

Through personal testimonies and expert insights, the film sheds light on one of the most painful and unresolved legacies of the conflict. It revisits the lasting consequences of the Kosovo war, which left behind thousands of victims and cases of missing persons. In the municipalities of Ferizaj, Kaçanik, Shtime, Hani i Elezit, and Shtërpcë alone, around 80 people are still listed as missing.

Following the screening, a panel discussion brought together institutional representatives and organisations working on missing persons issues, moderated by BIRN Kosovo’s Executive Director, Jeta Xharra.

Participants included Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution Office, Kushtrim Gara, from the Government Commission on Missing Persons, Ditor Haliti, from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Salih Muhaxhiri, from the Family Association for Missing Persons and Civilian Victims “Stars of Hearts,” and Natasa Bozilovic, from the Missing Persons Resource Centre.

Morina emphasized that one of the first steps taken in addressing war crimes was the establishment of dedicated institutions. “The Special Prosecution Office’s first step in this direction was the creation of relevant institutions dealing with war crimes,” Morina said, adding that tangible progress has been achieved in recent years on the recovery of human remains.

Kushtrim Gara stressed that the Ferizaj region would remain a priority within institutional efforts to locate missing persons. Ditor Haliti, from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, discussed the technical challenges involved in identifying victims. He noted that the disposal of bodies into the Lepenc River significantly complicated the verification and identification of human remains.

Meanwhile, Salih Muhaxhiri, whose wife is a missing person, spoke about his long-standing commitment to the issue. “I have been involved in this work since the end of the war because I am also a family member of a missing person. My wife disappeared during the war. Since that day, we have tried to contribute despite numerous obstacles. The greatest challenge we face today is that family members are becoming increasingly discouraged and are no longer willing to share information,” Muhaxhiri said.

Natasa Bozilovic also raised concerns about the prolonged wait for answers. “Many people have passed away without ever receiving information about their missing relatives,” she noted.

The event was attended by 24 participants, of whom 13 were women. Participants included civil society activists, journalists, students, and family members of missing persons from the Ferizaj region.

This event was organised in the framework of “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo” project, funded by the European Union.

On June 9, BIRN Kosovo screened a documentary in Gjilan, bringing renewed attention to the unresolved issue of persons who went missing during and after the Kosovo war. The film highlights the stories of missing persons and the decades-long efforts of their families to uncover the truth about the fate of their loved ones.

Produced as part of the EU-funded project, “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo,” the documentary highlights the lasting impact of war crimes on families and communities across the region of Gjilan.

The screening is part of a broader series of eight documentary screenings that BIRN Kosovo is organising across eight regions of Kosovo. The initiative seeks to document the stories of missing persons, preserve historical memory, and create space for public and institutional dialogue on an issue that remains unresolved more than two decades after the war ended.

According to the documentary, about 50 people from the municipalities of Gjilan, Kamenica, Ranilug, Partesh and Viti remain missing from the war.

Behind each case stands a family still living with uncertainty, grief, and the enduring hope of learning the fate of their relatives. Although 27 years have passed since the end of the war, the issue of missing persons remains an open wound in Kosovo society. Families continue to seek justice, answers and accountability, while institutions face ongoing challenges in resolving the remaining cases.

Following the screening, a public discussion was held to address institutional challenges in the search for missing persons, the need for stronger inter-institutional cooperation, and the role of families and civil society in the pursuit of truth and justice.

The panel featured Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution Office, Kushtrim Gara, from the Government Commission on Missing Persons, Ditor Haliti, from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, and Kreshnik Gashi, from KALLXO.com.

Morina called on citizens to immediately notify the Kosovo Police if they come across human remains or bones that could potentially be linked to unresolved missing persons cases.

Gara emphasized that one of the main challenges remains obtaining reliable information, stressing that every piece of information received is treated as a priority by the responsible institutions.

Haliti highlighted the work of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, noting that cases involving missing persons continue to receive special attention and priority treatment.

Speaking about the documentary’s purpose, Gashi said the project aims to help the public understand that behind the figure of more than 1,500 missing persons are thousands of family members who continue to live with uncertainty and loss.

“We wanted people to understand that when they hear about missing persons, they are not simply hearing about 1,500 individuals. They are hearing about 1,500 families who cannot fully experience life’s joys because they are still waiting to learn the fate of their loved ones,” Gashi said.

The event was attended by 34 participants, including 17 women. Participants included civil society activists, journalists, professors, students, citizens, and family members of missing persons.

This event was organised in the framework of “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo” project, funded by the European Union.