The Organization of War Veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army (OVL-UÇK) has warned that it could organize protests if institutions fail to advance proposed amendments to the law governing the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
Speaking at a press conference, OVL-UÇK Deputy Chairman Gazmend Syla said veterans would take action if their demands are not addressed and if an initiative proposed by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) to amend the law is not moved forward.
Syla said that, under such circumstances, the veterans’ organization would “take to the streets,” while stressing that it is currently giving state institutions time to respond and take the steps that, according to him, members of the Assembly committed to taking.
“If our demands are not taken into account, and if this request coming from a political party, in this case the PDK, to amend the law is deliberately prevented from moving forward, we will certainly take action. We will take to the streets, you can be sure of that,” Syla said.
He stressed that OVL-UÇK does not want to rush into protests and is instead waiting to see whether the institutions will respond.
“We want to give an opportunity to the people who are leading our institutions today to reflect. If this is not moved forward, we, the veterans and the categories emerging from the war, will not remain idle. We will take further steps and make them public,” he said.
Syla added that the organization is currently awaiting action from the institutions, referring to commitments reportedly made by members of the Kosovo Assembly during the previous day.
“For now, we want to give the government an opportunity to reflect and take the steps that Assembly deputies also committed to yesterday. That is why we are waiting, but under different circumstances, we will take to the streets,” Syla declared.
The proposed amendments to the law on the Specialist Chambers have become a subject of political debate in Kosovo, with supporters arguing that changes are needed in relation to the proceedings involving former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders at the Hague-based court.
