The Collective for Feminist Thought and Action has announced a nationwide protest for Saturday, demanding justice for Arlinda Zekaj and institutional accountability over the killings of women in Kosovo.
In its announcement, the Collective said Zekaj’s murder had exposed failures across the institutional chain, arguing that instead of protecting women who seek help, the authorities had neglected their cases and failed to prevent such tragedies.
Through the protest, the organisers are calling on the state to recognise femicide as a national emergency and introduce concrete measures to prevent the killing of women.
Among their main demands are the dismissal, criminal prosecution and imprisonment of officials they consider responsible for the handling of Arlinda Zekaj’s case. Those named include Chief Prosecutor Lumturije Vuçetaj, Prosecutor Suada Rama Hamza, Court President Shemsedin Haxhiaj, Judge Migjen Kastrati, Acting Director of the Centre for Social Work Shpresa Lukaj, and Lieutenant Faruk Muqolli.
The organisers are also demanding the dismissal of Donika Gërvalla and Xhelal Sveçla, as well as the resignation of Peja Mayor Gazmend Muhaxheri.
Their additional demands include officially treating femicide as a national emergency, providing social housing for survivors of domestic violence, introducing an independent and politically impartial vetting process within the justice system, and legalising pepper spray for women’s self-defence.
The Collective stressed that its efforts would not be limited to seeking justice for Arlinda Zekaj, but would continue as part of a broader struggle to ensure the safety of all girls and women in Kosovo.
The nationwide protest is scheduled for Saturday at 12:00 noon.
