Serb List: Integration of Serb Education, Healthcare into Kosovo System a Human Rights Violation

Igor Simic (Beta / Armenija Zajmi Besevic)

Igor Simic, a member of the Serb List presidency, stated on March 2 that the previous day’s arrest of five Kosovo Serbs allegedly suspected of war crimes is an attempt at intimidating local Serbs and sending the message that none of them are safe.

“Pristina now wants [to commence] the administrative persecution of Serbs as well. The survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija rests on three pillars: healthcare, education and the Serbian Orthodox Church. This is an attack of the first two,” Simic told the RTS public broadcaster regarding the Kosovo authorities’ announcement that the Law on Foreigners will take effect on March 15.

Simic explained that the attempt to integrate the education and healthcare of Kosovo Serbs into mainstream Kosovo institutions is a violation of the rights of the Serbian people.

“No Serb is prepared to have his child learn that [late Kosovo Liberation Army leader Adem] Jashari was a hero or have [his child] treated by untrained doctors,” the politician stated, adding that these latest developments are placing Kosovo Serbs in a hostage-like situation.

The Serb List official went on to say that his party will consider the international community’s silence on the matter complicity in the ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Kosovo.

The full implementation of Kosovo’s Law on Foreigners could impact the operation of Serb healthcare and educational institutions because the law demands that all those without Pristina-issued documents – such as the many Serbs with residency in Serbia proper who are working in Kosovo – must acquire a work permit or license issued by the Kosovo Employment Bureau.