The OSCE Mission in Kosovo has expressed deep concern over the impact caused by the closure of service offices in North Mitrovica, which non-majority communities rely on for basic needs.
In an official post on Facebook, the OSCE emphasized that the suspension of these services has a particularly heavy effect on the most vulnerable groups of the population.
“These disruptions especially affect the elderly, persons with disabilities, and low-income families, who depend on these offices for healthcare, pension payments, school materials, and social support,” the OSCE statement said.
The organization underlined that any measure affecting public services should be implemented carefully, ensuring uninterrupted access for all communities:
“Any measure impacting public services should guarantee continuous access for all communities, while disputes are addressed through the EU-mediated Dialogue and meaningful local consultations,” the statement stressed.
The OSCE Mission also added that it will continue to monitor the situation in line with its mandate.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation within our mandate for early warning and support to inclusive and sustainable communities,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the Inspectorate of the Municipality of North Mitrovica, in a statement for Radio Free Europe, confirmed that it has suspended the work of the Health Insurance Fund and the Disability and Pension Insurance Fund, which had been operating under the Serbian system.
The municipality announced that on September 12, with the assistance of the Kosovo Police, inspections were carried out in the facilities where these institutions operated.
“During the inspection, it was found that the individuals encountered on the premises did not possess valid documentation to carry out the mentioned activities. For this reason, operations were temporarily suspended, while further procedures will be conducted in accordance with the applicable laws and competencies,” the Municipality of North Mitrovica declared.
