PREVENT warns about hate speech and religious polarization, calls for responsibility to protect coexistence

The Institute for Security and Resilience – PREVENT has expressed concern over the rise in stigmatizing rhetoric directed at Islam and Muslim citizens in Kosovo.

In a statement published on Facebook, the Institute noted that generalized statements about Islam, imams, religious institutions and believers are circulating on online platforms and in public debate.

According to PREVENT, legitimate discussion about religion and social issues can cross over into the stigmatization of an entire community. “Religious polarization must be addressed objectively and without distinction, taking into account all forms and sources of narratives that may affect relations between communities,” the statement said.

The Institute also called for attention to responses that may be characterized by exclusion, generalizations or opposition to other communities.

PREVENT believes that narratives with religious and identity-based content, including those influenced by events outside Kosovo, should be examined on the basis of facts. In this context, the Institute also referred to discourses concerning Serbia and the position of religious communities in the country.

“Any narrative that portrays one religious community as a threat to another community may negatively affect social cohesion and must be handled with care,” the statement further emphasized.

The statement also addressed developments that followed the indictment of Fatmir Sheholli. PREVENT called for procedural documents to be interpreted carefully and always within their legal framework.

“The allegations presented in an indictment represent the claims of the Prosecution and do not constitute a final finding of guilt,” the Institute emphasized.

According to PREVENT, any issue involving religion, identity or the way society is perceived should be subject to professional analysis. At the same time, the Institute called for conclusions not to be drawn that go beyond what is established through legal processes.

Recalling that Kosovo’s Constitution guarantees freedom of belief and the practice of religion, PREVENT stressed that criticism of religions, practices and religious institutions is part of democratic debate. However, according to the Institute, it must be clearly distinguished from incitement to hatred, demonization and stigmatization.

PREVENT called on justice and security institutions to address every case related to intolerance, division or religion-motivated violence equally.

The call for responsibility in public communication was also addressed to the media, religious communities, civil society and political leaders. The Institute urged these actors not to use narratives that could deepen divisions, but to help preserve religious coexistence in Kosovo.