Tag: Kosovo

What will Ferizaj’s next mayor face on the first day in office?

BIRN Kosovo’s mayoral debate series #DebatPernime (#RealDebates) has revealed many issues faced by the Municipality of Ferizaj, from waste management to preventing violent extremism.

Out of 45 villages in Ferizaj, 31 have problems with sewage.

Also, field research revealed that Ferizaj, one of Kosovo’s most populated cities, has only 130 public parking spaces. Furthermore, the municipality’s railroad tracks, where two people died this year, poses a danger to citizens.

BIRN investigations also revealed a construction and urban planning crisis in Ferizaj; the city has over 10 thousand illegal constructions.

Illegal constructions

In 2014, a decision was taken to initiate the amending and supplementing the regulatory plans, with an illegal basis, specifically focused on the examination of the construction coefficient for zones I and VIII. This was followed by consecutive legal, substantive and procedural violations, including more serious violations, such as the falsification of official documents.

Lawsuits regarding compensation for investors whose construction permits have been suspended due to the contestibility of the revision process

The Ferizaj Mayor’s failure to intervene in a timely manner and to hold those responsible for illegal constructions accountable, has risked Ferizaj hundreds of thousands of euros of its budget, due to the deposit of the lawsuits regarding compensation for investors. These investors’ construction permits have been suspended due to the contestability of the revision process.
Investigations by corruption reporting platform KALLXO.com reveal that the

Municipality of Ferizaj did not considered the recommendations submitted by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and the Ministry of Local Government Administration, and the decision of the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, to reinstate the decision to initiate the revision of the regulatory plan for zones I and VIII, including the regulatory plans to be drafted, revised and harmonized in compliance with the given procedures, terminology and content envisaged by the Law on Spatial Planning.

Road safety

During 2017, three accidents occurred near the railroad tracks that run through the center of Ferizaj, two of which were fatal.

A KALLXO.com investigation shows that there is a lack of road safety signals in the area where the fatalities occurred, and the responsibility for this has continuously been transferred to and from the municipality to the public enterprise INFRAKOS.

The municipality casts the responsibility to INFRAKOS, the public enterprise for railroad management, while the latter holds the municipality responsible for the lack of road safety signs and traffic barriers.

Mayor Muharrem Svarqa, during the election campaign of November 2013, promised to take measures to prevent accidents near the railroad. However, over the past four years, the problem has not been addressed.

Field research has also revealed that Ferizaj’s lack of parking lots within the city is one of the many issues residents take issue with.

Based on KALLXO.com’s findings, the Municipality of Ferizaj ranks amongst the top for municipalties that lack sufficient parking spaces. Ferizaj has only two parking lots, with a total capacity of 130 cars.

Within the city, there are several plots of land that citizens have turned into private parking lots. The parking mayhem has given the city a bad image, especially because in some areas, sidewalks are used for parking

Water and sewage issues

Ferizaj has a major issue with drinking water availability, especially evident in dozens of the municipality’s villages. Many villages lack a water-supply network, and several have no water supply despite investments in this area.

Moreover, investigations reveal that the drinking water supply in the city remains a major issue due to water cuts, especially during summer.

More than 20 per cent of Ferizaj lacks drinking water. The specific zones currently without water supply are: Greme, Rakaj, Prelez i Jerlive, Prelez i Muhaxherëve, Papaz, Sazli, Bibaj, Sojevë, Zllatar, Dardani, Burnik, and Jezerc. In some of these villages, investments into the water supply began in 2011, but as of this year, the network has not been completed.

 

The municipality of Ferizaj lacks sewage collectors, and most of the waste is poured into rivers. In the Mirosalë village, sewage is poured close to some houses, private properties, and agricultural lands. There are no wastewater treatment plants, and none of the existing collectors clean the water in compliance with the given standards.

Education and health

 

Field research reveals that some of Ferizaj’s villages, such as Nerodime and Koshare, lack of health centers. Residents of the given villages, in order to receive basic health services, have to travel to the city. The distance between Koshare and Ferizaj is 7 kilometers, while Nerodime to Ferizaj is 4-6 kilometers.

Almost all schools operate in two shifts, except two other schools currently working in one.

Research has also highlights connections between employment and politics. Specifically, Arta Tahiri-Beqa, at the beginning of the mandate, was a Vetevendosje Assembly member who then joined LDK, and this year, she was appointed as the director of the lower secondary school “Ramadan Rexhepi” in the Sojevë village.

Economy

Ferizaj has 20 thousand residents more than Gjilan, however, its revenues remain the same.

During 2016, Ferizaj’s budget was only 3 million euros, while the government allocated a grant to this municipality of 21.3 million euros. Based on the gathered data, the municipality of Ferizaj itself may only provide 11 per cent of the budget, while 89 per cent is received as grants from Kosovo’s central government.

Ferizaj’s economy is known for its wood industry. Investigations show that in the municipality, taxes are used as bait for elections. Taxes were cut during the period when Mayor Aliu, from PDK, was in power. When Svarqa became the Mayor, taxes were once again restored to the previous amount. At the end of the mandate, Svarqa asked the Municipal Assembly to cut taxes, but the Assembly, supported by PDK, removed them completely.

Waste

Ferizaj has around 40 illegal waste deposits, while investigations shows that currently, 10 of them are located within the urban zones, which have no legal landfill. The investigation further shows that the municipality has not yet determined the location where the waste dump will be constructed.

Consequently, in villages and areas within the city, our researchers have identified waste dumping areas during their investigations. Such waste dumping occurs in the area called “The Eagle Circle”.

Preventing violent extremism

BIRN’s investigation shows that Ferizaj is amongst the municipalities dealing most with preventing violent extremism and indoctrination of young people by terrorist organizations.

Seven people from Ferizaj are in prison on charges of recruiting members of terrorist organizations or partaking in the war in Syria.

Investigations further reveal that the Municipality of Ferizaj, despite possessing several competences regarding the de-radicalization and integration of people previously involved in foreign conflicts, has done nothing in this regard.

The findings show that the municipality has failed to ensure that the centers for social work and health, the municipality’s psychologists, and the directorate of youth and sports are able to address issues faced by these individuals after their return from foreign conflict zones.

On January 15, 2017, BIRN’s televised programme Justice in Kosovo and the anti-corruption platform KALLXO.com published an investigation on alleged criminal offences that took place at the Deçan Municipality Basic Court. The investigation included research by KALLXO.com’s team, which presented sufficient evidence that Judge Safete Tolaj was involved in an act of bribery. As a result of the research, Justice in Kosovo published a video reportage that detailed how the situation developed. After the show’s publication, measures were taken by the relevant rule of law institutions, leading to judge Tolaj’s dismissal.

A Kosovo citizen, Berat Kelmendi, reported the case to KALLXO.com through an online report. Kelmendi reported the case after experiencing longer than usual resolution times regarding a case at the Deçan Basic Court. As the court proceedings were ongoing, the judge’s son, Fisnik Tolaj, approached Kelmendi and offered to speed up his case in exchange for 20,000 euros. Kelmendi secretly recorded all of the bribery negotiation talks. Justice in Kosovo and KALLXO.com, after hearing Kelmendi’s story, gathered sufficient material to produce a show on the matter.

Rule of law institutions, sixteen hours after the first part of the story was published, initiated an investigation. The State Basic Prosecution invited KALLXO.com to cooperate. According to the prosecution, investigation into corruption suspicions began in January 2017, and Tolaj was charged with abuse of office and other criminal offenses. Tolaj’s son was also charged with fraud, exertion of influence, forgery, and other criminal offenses, including illegal possession and use of weapons. In the aftermath of ten-month period, on October 11, KALLXO.com reported that an indictment was raised against Judge Safete Tolaj. The department for Heavy Crimes of the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Peja raised an indictment against the judge under the charge of misuse of official duty or official authority. In order to fight corruption and organized crime, Justice in Kosovo and KALLXO.com will continue to follow similar cases.

These lectures were part of a project titled “Expand Youth Participation to Counter Violent Extremism,” given in cooperation between ATRC (Advocacy Training and Research Center) and Internews Kosova.

The lectures tackled a general overview of the current situation and how ideologies of violent extremism have impacted Kosovo’s youth. Two of the lectures were held in Prishtina, while two others were held in Kaçanik and Mitrovica.

Kreshnik Gashi, managing editor of BIRN and Internews Kosova, moderated the discussions and also spoke about how we can prevent the manipulation of youth with violent extremism ideologies on social media networks. Gashi has produced two televised programmes for Justice in Kosovo about the failures of de-radicalization programs in Kosovo and has provided recommendations to relevant institutions on de-radicalization measures.

Along with Gashi, a representative from the Kosovo Police was present to offer his insights on preventing violent extremism. Florim Shatrolli, from the Anti-Corruption Unit, lectured on the role of the Kosovo Police in preventing violent extremism. He explained the need for rapid response and educating the public to report violent extremism cases.

These activities were held with the purpose of urging Kosovo’s youth to work towards their career goals, and not to become influenced by ideologies telling young people to join conflicts in the Middle East.

Preventing violent extremism has been an important topic in Kosovo over the past several years, and BIRN and Internews Kosova remain committed to mitigating the influence of extremism, and educating Kosovo’s youth about countering violent extremism.

BIRN is bringing the #DebatPernime (#RealDebate) format for mayoral candidates of seven municipalities in Macedonia—Cair, Saraj, Struga, Tetovo, Gostivar, Kercova, and Debar. By hosting these debates, BIRN Kosovo aims to inform voters about the candidates’ platforms during the days leading up to the municipal elections in Macedonia, set for October 15.

BIRN’s product KALLXO.com, which is a well-trusted online anti-corruption platform, will be used as a tool for citizens of these municipalities to send debate questions and address their concerns regarding the governance of the municipalities they live in. BIRN Kosovo, along with its partners BIRN Macedonia, Portalb, Vistinomer, and Art Channel, have undertaken this approach in order to offer a transparent and accountable governing system in Albanian-majority municipalities.

The #DebatPernime format has proved to be successful in Kosovo, considering the large percentage of politicians who participate in the debates. Through candidate debates, BIRN aims to promote transparency and accountability in municipal governments, and to support public discourse.

During the debates, mayoral candidates will be given the equal opportunity to share their political programmes. All political parties, except for the former ruling VMRO-DMPNE led by ex-prime minister Nikola Gruevski, will participate in BIRN’s electoral debates.

The debates will be held every evening, from October 1-7, in Albanian language, and will stream live on KALLXO.com’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as on the Macedonian TV programme TV Art Channel, which is headquartered in Tetova.

The #DebatPernime format has shown to be successful in viewership and citizens’ trust, as it offers a straight-forward way for municipal candidates to reflect on their development strategies for the municipalities they hope to govern.

Citizens are encouraged to submit questions or concerns through BIRN Kosovo’s anti-corruption platform, on KALLXO.com or through KALLXO.com’s mobile application, and via its Facebook channel.

The project, a partnership between USAID’s Justice System Strengthening Program (JSSP), the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC), and civil society organizations, such as BIRN Kosovo, Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture (ACDC) and Democracy Plus, aims improve public outreach and communication between the judiciary and the public.

Mark Isom, acting Deputy Mission Director, and Nehat Idrizi, Chair of the KJC, gave introductory remarks at the project’s launch, emphasizing the significance of transparency in fostering accountability in the judicial sector.

Throughout the project’s timeline, partners, including BIRN Kosovo, will closely collaborate with specific courts to inform the wider public on the courts’ activities, and will utilize social media to increase public outreach.

The launching event hosted various civil society organizations, relevant public officials, and media groups who have an interest and stake in contributing to increased transparency and accountability in Kosovo’s justice system.

Kreshnik Gashi from BIRN Kosovo presented BIRN’s role and activities within this initiative.  The new initiative will greatly benefit from BIRN Kosovo’s support, which, as an independent and non-governmental organization, acts as a watchdog in the implementation of the democratic transition processes, including for judicial sector reforms. As an organization that contributes to enhancing the accountability and professionalism of Kosovo’s justice institutions, BIRN will help the JSSP’s team to increase judicial transparency, accountability, and effectiveness, and to widen the public’s understanding of Kosovo’s court system.

The debates, which are broadcasted every evening on RTV 21, aim to bring the audience face-to-face with mayoral candidates, giving people a chance to hear their political platforms, promises, and how they plan to implement their agendas.

BIRN’s debate model #DebatPernime (#RealDebate) aims to raise citizen awareness about the candidates, and also to serve as a platform for revisiting promises after mayors are elected. BIRN will conduct a mid-mandate fact-check of the assurances made during the debates so that the public can know the extent to which their representatives are keeping their promises.

The pre-elections debates host mayoral candidates from all parties, whom are encouraged to invite their supporters to participate and cheer for their desired politicians as live audience members during the debate. Citizens all over Kosovo are also encouraged to submit debate questions and concerns through BIRN’s anti-corruption platform KALLXO.com, and on KALLXO.com’s Facebook channel.

On December 8, the team behind the weekly BIRN Kosovo broadcast show “Justice in Kosovo”, was awarded the prize for “Best Anti-Corruption Story” by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Kosovo) and the Association of Journalists of Kosovo. The award was given to the team of Justice in Kosovo who conducted a thorough investigation on an alleged bribery case in the Basic Court of Deçan by its judge. The story, named “Bribery in the Court”, was presented through two episodes in the weekly program “Justice in Kosovo”.

The investigation into the Basic Court of Deçan revealed that Judge Safete Tolaj was involved in bribery. Her son would make efforts to bribe indicted persons, whose cases were being judged by Tolaj. KALLXO.com, BIRN Kosovo’s online anti-corruption platform, received a report from a citizen named Berat Kelmendi, who asserted that he was experiencing longer than usual times to have his case be resolved by judge Tolaj. Tolaj’s son, Fisnik, had then approached Kelmendi to speed up his case in exchange for 20,000 euros. Kelmendi had accepted the offer by secretly recording all instances where they were negotiating money in order to have Judge Tolaj solve the case faster. When Judge Tolaj was interviewed by Justice in Kosovo team, she acted surprised and claimed she was not aware of her son’s actions. However, she and her son were arrested the night before the second episode of Justice in Kosovo was broadcast. Several months after, on October 11, the Department for Heavy Crimes of the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Peja issued an indictment against judge Tolaj under the charge of abuse of official duty.

Illustrating cases like these with evidence and their impact has resulted in strengthening the cooperation between KALLXO.com and the State Basic Prosecution, as well as the Kosovo Police. Justice in Kosovo and other BIRN Kosovo products will continue to pursue and investigate cases to uncover affairs of corruption and ensure those responsible are held accountable before legal institutions.

The overall objective of the project is to ensure justice, protection, and rehabilitation for the victims of gender-based violence. Bearing in mind that in Kosovo, women and girls are significantly more affected by different forms of violence just because of their gender, BIRN and KWN will work on mitigating gender-based violence and make up for the poor performance of institutions that are accountable for them.

This project was inspired by the latest findings on the status of gender-based violence in Kosovo conducted by KWN. The latest investigations conducted by BIRN reveal that local institutions have failed to properly offer their services in sensitive cases such as gender-based violence, resulting in women who are victims of such acts receiving little or no support at all from responsible actors. Hence, in order to support victims, BIRN and KWN will begin regularly monitoring these cases to prevent the relevant institutions from manipulating and mistreating them.. The institutions that will be monitored as part of this project include courts, prosecutions, the Kosovo Police, social work centres, and other relevant institutions that exist to properly treat cases of gender-based violence.

The aim of the project is to increase accountability of these institutions while treating cases that include gender-based violence, as well as to increase the awareness of citizens and institutional representatives on the importance of reporting and offering support to victims. Parallel to the implementation of the project, both networks openly invite all citizens to report institutional breaches they run into, or have previously witnessed, if an institution has disregarded or mistreated cases related to gender-based violence. The project is supported by the Austrian Development Agency.