Protest in Pristina against the killing of women demands accountability from institutions

A nationwide protest against the killing of women in Kosovo has begun in Pristina. It was organized after Arlinda Zekaj was killed on October 25 in Vitomiricë, near Peja.

Participants gathered near the Mother Teresa Cathedral, carrying signs against violence toward women and calling on the institutions responsible for protecting them to act. The messages included “Violent state, soulless state!”, “Is there a state for women?” and “Do we have to be killed to be taken seriously?”

The protest was organized by the Collective for Feminist Thought and Action, which is calling for the killing of women to be treated as a national emergency.

The organizers said they would seek the dismissal and prosecution of officials suspected of failing to handle Arlinda Zekaj’s case properly. They named the former chief prosecutor of the Basic Prosecution Office in Peja, Lumturije Vuçetaj; the prosecutor handling the case, Suada Rama-Hamza; and other officials in the justice system, police and social services.

Protesters are also demanding the removal of ministers Donika Gërvalla and Xhelal Sveçla from office and the resignation of Peja mayor Gazmend Muhaxheri.

Their demands also include social housing for survivors of domestic violence, independent and nonpartisan vetting of the justice system, and the legalization of self-defense spray for women.

Protests against the killing of women have continued since October 25, the day Arlinda Zekaj was killed in Vitomiricë, near Peja.