PDK calls for an end to violence against protesters and the adoption of the law protecting the KLA

The Democratic Party of Kosovo has reacted harshly to the use of force against citizens protesting for the adoption of the law that protects the KLA. The party is calling on the Government to take immediate responsibility and on state bodies to put an end to any disproportionate action that seriously violates citizens’ right to protest.

According to the PDK, the struggle of the people of Kosovo under the leadership of the KLA was just, clean and inevitable. The KLA and its liberation war constitute an inseparable part of Kosovo’s history, identity and freedom, and protecting this legacy is a civic and state duty that concerns the country’s present and future.

The PDK also stresses that there is no legal obstacle to adopting the law that protects the KLA and to carrying this process through to the end. The Government itself has confirmed this in its opinion, therefore any further delay is unjustified and constitutes a direct disregard of the citizens’ demand.

Citizens, children of martyrs, invalids and veterans are taking part in the protest, and they have a clear demand on an extremely important matter for the country. Their voice must be heard and answered through concrete institutional actions. The Government cannot replace its responsibility for decision-making with the use of force against citizens.

The PDK calls on state bodies to stop the violence against protesters, since the measures used against a protest that has been peaceful for 20 days in a row are entirely disproportionate and unacceptable. The citizens’ resistance cannot be seen as a threat, nor serve as a pretext for the exercise of violence.

It is unacceptable that security institutions are being used in an extremely excessive manner for political purposes or to violently suppress the citizens’ justified revolt. Their duty is to serve citizens and protect their rights, while any attempt to place them at the service of the interests of those in power constitutes a serious abuse of state responsibility.

No political order can justify violence against citizens exercising their right to protest.

The PDK calls on all parliamentary groups and MPs to act without delay and complete the adoption of the law that protects the KLA. Institutional responsibility at this moment requires decision-making, respect for citizens and protection of the dignity of the liberators.