GUXO opposes the political lynching of Gërvalla: Protests are legitimate, but smearing is not

The GUXO party has responded to the protests and public debate sparked by the latest convictions handed down by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, opposing the political attacks against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Donika Gërvalla.

In a press release, the political party said that citizens’ concerns and the right to protest are part of democracy, but criticized their use for “political smearing.”

GUXO emphasized that the decisions in The Hague should be challenged and addressed through legal channels. At the same time, according to the party, political accountability should also be sought from those who voted for, negotiated and supported the establishment of the Specialist Court.

In its response, the party questioned the reasons behind the attacks on Donika Gërvalla, asking whether they are truly related to developments in The Hague or to the law on investigating unjustified assets.

Full press release:

PRESS RELEASE

Justice yes, political manipulation no

The response of citizens to the latest convictions handed down by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague is entirely understandable and legitimate. Protest is a fundamental right in a democratic society, and citizens’ voices must therefore be heard and respected.

However, the draconian sentences that caused this widespread discontent cannot be changed through political and public attacks. They can be addressed only through due legal process. In this regard, the Court of Appeals, as the second-instance court, remains the only institutional avenue for addressing this issue.

No court decision can undo the justness of the people of Kosovo’s struggle for freedom and independence, which remains just and sacred.

Therefore, the question that must be asked is clear: Why is political accountability not being sought from those who voted for, negotiated and supported the Specialist Court? Today, the campaign of accusations and smears is being led precisely by those who, in television studios and elsewhere, called for imprisonment, read out names and exerted extraordinary pressure for this law to be passed by the Assembly.

It is unacceptable that, instead of a review based on facts and concrete actions to understand how this situation came about, there is an attempt to portray Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Donika Gërvalla as politically “guilty.”

Historically, public lynching and extreme smearing have also preceded the physical elimination of prominent national figures.

For this reason, the Guxo Party asks: Where is the resurgence of the ghosts of the hit lists from 1997, 1998 and 1999 coming from? These developments raise serious doubts: Are they showing that independent judicial proceedings still cannot take place in Kosovo without political pressure and outside interference? What message is being sent to the world through these campaigns and protests against justice institutions?

Our society must decide whether it seeks justice only when it serves narrow political interests, or whether it seeks justice based strictly on the law rather than on the demands of groups that treat the law as their own property.

The Guxo Party is convinced that justice must never be turned into a tool for internal political clashes.

Finally, another question must be asked: Are the attacks on Donika related to The Hague or to the law on investigating unjustified assets? The insults published on news portals today prove that the latter is the answer.

Therefore:

Citizens’ concern, yes.

Protest, yes.

Accountability, yes.

Political lynching, under no circumstances.