The only ethnic Albanian representative in the Serbian Parliament, Shaip Kamberi, announced on Tuesday that he has decided to boycott the work of the Serbian Parliament. His decision is a direct response to what he described as the deep political and institutional crisis in Serbia and the lack of willingness to respect human and minority rights—particularly those of Albanians in the Presheva Valley.
In a Facebook post, Kamberi listed several reasons behind his decision. He stated: “Under these circumstances, I will not take part in the upcoming sessions of the Serbian Parliament.”
“A truly pro-European society can only be built by guaranteeing equal conditions and dignified treatment for everyone—including Albanians,” he wrote.
According to Kamberi, a Western-oriented society cannot be built on mythological foundations or hegemonic ambitions.
“A pro-European society cannot be based on past myths, historical fabrications, or hegemonic ambitions in the Western Balkans,” he emphasized.
His decision comes two days after a mass anti-government protest in Serbia, where thousands of citizens took to the streets and clashed with law enforcement.
Full statement:
Taking into account that the community I represent remains loyal solely to the pro-European orientation of the Western Balkans and strongly believes in the values of democracy, human rights, and equality;
Starting from the fact that respect for human and minority rights is the foundation of any healthy European society;
Considering the decision of the pro-European opposition to boycott the work of Parliament as a reaction to the deep political and institutional crisis in the country;
Witnessing daily the continuous violations of fundamental human rights and those of minority communities—especially of Albanians, whose rights continue to be trampled for decades despite three signed agreements with Belgrade (2001, 2009, and 2013);
The non-recognition of diplomas, political and institutional underrepresentation, administrative “passivization,” and the lack of economic perspective have become part of a systematic agenda aimed at depopulating the Presheva Valley of its Albanian population;
Noting the complete lack of political will to move forward with legal initiatives aimed at improving the position of Albanians in Serbia—which have for months remained blocked in parliamentary procedures;
Believing that democratization in Serbia is not simply a matter of changing those in power, but requires sincere will for reform, respect for all citizens, and equal treatment of all communities; true democratization can only happen when, alongside a change in power, there is a definitive break from the imperialist politics of the 1990s;
Under these circumstances, I will not take part in the upcoming sessions of the Serbian Parliament.
Over the years, Albanian political representatives have raised their voices in Parliament in the name of rights, equality, and a European future—calling for the respect of fundamental human rights and appealing to the European Union for the implementation of the agreements of 2001, 2009, and 2013—unfortunately, without success.
A truly pro-European society can only be built by guaranteeing equal conditions and dignified treatment for all—including Albanians. It cannot be built on past myths, historical fabrications, or hegemonic ambitions in the Western Balkans.
Future political actions will be announced in due time. All of them will be coordinated with our political allies and with all those who truly believe in pro-Western and democratic values.
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