Shaip Kamberi, a deputy in the Serbian Parliament, commented on the recent anti-Albanian graffiti appearing in Bujanovac through a Facebook status.
Kamberi stated that he has sent letters to the embassies of Western countries in Belgrade. The letters indicate that this type of hate speech is inciting violence against the Albanian ethnicity and that a major concern is the passive addressing of Albanian issues. “Following the posters and graffiti saying ‘Kill the Albanians’ recently displayed in Bujanovac, today I addressed several embassies in Belgrade for immediate intervention to stop this new wave of anti-Albanian hate speech.
The letters were sent to the U.S. Embassy, the OSCE Mission, and the British Embassy:
I address you as a deputy in the Serbian Parliament, concerned about the alarming rise in xenophobia and hate speech against the Albanian community in the Preševo Valley, particularly in Bujanovac. This growing hostility, evidenced by graffiti openly inciting violence with messages like ‘Kill the Albanians,’ is contributing to an increasingly toxic atmosphere in the region.
These alarming developments are not limited to isolated incidents but are being repeated by officials and government institutions that should be protecting the rights of all citizens. Especially concerning is the role of the Coordination Body for Preševo, Bujanovac, and Medveđa.
Established to promote dialogue, integration, and equality, this institution is now moving in a direction that contradicts its founding mission. Recent statements by the Director of the Coordination Body, Nenad Mitrović, have further deepened these concerns. His offensive and divisive rhetoric, which not only discriminates against Bujanovac compared to Preševo but also reflects a broader exclusionary attitude, is extremely troubling.
Also concerning is the intensification of passive address registration, a process increasingly used as a tool of discrimination against the Albanian community. This practice aims to systematically deregister members of the Albanian population by canceling their official residency status, which is affecting the depopulation of Albanians. Such actions not only violate fundamental human rights but also undermine the principles of equality and justice that should be the foundation of a multi-ethnic society.
The rise of anti-Albanian sentiment and the exclusionary discourse promoted by some government officials threaten the delicate balance of multi-ethnicity in the Preševo Valley.
Multi-ethnicity should represent equality, justice, and respect for all communities, not the marginalization and suppression of the Albanian population and privileges for others.
In light of these developments, I urge the international community to take immediate action:
Condemn Hate Speech and Xenophobia: Publicly condemn hate speech and xenophobic rhetoric spreading in the Preševo Valley.
Seek Accountability: Pressure the Serbian government to hold accountable those who incite hatred and violence against the Albanian community.
Promote Dialogue and Integration: Advocate for the return of the Coordination Body for Preševo, Bujanovac, and Medveđa to its original mission of promoting dialogue and genuine integration of the Albanian community. This includes resuming the implementation of the ‘Seven-Point Plan’ as outlined in the ‘Plan for the Integration of Members of the Albanian National Minority in the Public Sector and State Bodies at the Local Level for the Period 2023 – 2026.’
Monitor and Report: Increase international monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in the Preševo Valley, with particular attention to the intensification of address deregistration.
The current situation in the Preševo Valley presents a crucial test for Serbia’s commitment to upholding the principles of multi-ethnicity, democracy, equality, and human and minority rights.
I call on the international community to respond urgently to protect the rights and dignity, equality, and democracy for the Albanian community in the Preševo Valley,” writes Kamberi.
