The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network in Kosovo, BIRN Kosovo, has published a new report, “Challenges of Terrorism Prevention Mechanisms in Kosovo”, presenting Kosovo’s problems in preventing and combating extremism and terrorism.
The analysis is supported by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, GCERF, as part of the Resilient and Inclusive Community Programme.
The report looks at implementation of the national strategy and examines the development of an early intervention system to protect individuals at risk of radicalization and assesses the impact of government and non-government efforts in preventing violent extremism.
The findings of the report are the result of six months of research and monitoring work in 26 municipalities, including interviews with relevant stakeholders in Kosovo.
Speakers at the launch were: Xhelal Sveçla, Minister of Interior and National Coordinator for the State Strategy for Preventing and Combating Terrorism; Khalid Koser, founder and director of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, GCERF, Kreshnik Gashi, editor-in-chief of KALLXO.com, and Labinot Leposhtica.
“Kosovo has joined global coalitions in combating terrorism. Kosovo has taken responsibility for repatriating individuals from Syria, rehabilitating them, and reintegrating them into society. One of the main pillars of our five-year strategy 2023-2028 is the inclusion of local mechanisms and civil society,” Sveçla said.
Koser of GCERF complimented the methods used for the report, such as surveys and interviews, saying: “I believe the methodology makes this a legitimate report that we should take seriously.”
Gashi, editor at Kallxo.com, highlighted the importance of cooperation between civil society and the government in achieving meaningful implementation of the strategy as well as the impact of concrete actions and measures on progressing the situation in Kosovo.
The author of the report, Labiot Leposhtica, noted: “The majority of municipalities, 20 out of 26, reported serious problems in understanding the strategic document (National Strategy). This is a significant issue because the consequences are collateral.”
The 60 participants at the event, 19 of whom were women, included individuals from both central and local government, experts, diplomats, members of religious communities and media representatives.
The report is accessible online here:
AL: Sfidat e mekanizmave të parandalimit të terrorizmit në Kosovë
SRB: Izazovi mehanizma za suzbijanje terorizma na Kosovu
ENG: Challenges of Terrorism Prevention Mechanisms in Kosovo
This activity formed part of the Resilient and Inclusive Community Programme, funded by GCERF.