A coalition of non-governmental organizations in Kosovo has launched the “Anti-Corruption Week 2025” with a symbolic one-day strike, calling on authorities to address systemic corruption and institutional stagnation. The initiative is led by the Kosovo Institute for Justice (IKD), the FOL Movement, and the Initiative for Progress (INPO), according to Ekonomia Online.
The strike comes after repeated warnings from civil society actors regarding the lack of progress in the rule of law, which they say have been largely ignored by state institutions.
During a press conference, Arrita Rezniqi, Senior Legal Researcher at IKD, described the strike as a clear message against policies and practices that, in her view, are paralyzing the functioning of the state.
“We decided to start this week with a symbolic action in front of public institutions, calling for an end to corruption and for the restoration of proper governance. Despite our continuous efforts, analyses, and recommendations, there has been no institutional response, reflection, or concrete engagement in addressing these issues,” Rezniqi said.
She highlighted a series of structural problems affecting Kosovo’s institutions, including the absence of judicial reform, the lack of vetting in the justice system, corporatization in the prosecution service, unconstitutional laws, and the suspension of strategic dialogue with the United States. Rezniqi also pointed to pressures, attacks, and blockages across various sectors, as well as threats to journalists, civil society, and the overall democratic process.
“This strike is not merely symbolic. It is a call for immediate institutional responsibility and action. Our country needs functional institutions, rule of law, integrity, and transparency, not the encouragement of corruption,” she added.
The NGOs insist that urgent and concrete measures are needed to strengthen governance, ensure accountability, and restore public trust in Kosovo’s democratic institutions.
