OSCE Mission Head strongly condemns attack on political figure’s family members in northern Kosovo

BRUSSELS, 13 September 2013 – Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger has spoken out against yesterday’s attack on family members of Oliver Ivanović, a political figure from northern Mitrovicë/Mitrovica who has been active in the run-up to the local elections in Kosovo.

“I strongly condemn the attack targeting Oliver Ivanović’s wife and child in the privacy of their home, and wish his family a speedy recovery,” said Schlumberger, who is currently in Brussels attending the meeting of the working group on elections organized as part of the EU-facilitated dialogue on normalization of relations between Belgrade and Prishtinë/Priština.

“It is the right of each and every individual to decide whether to be politically active or not and to freely express their political views. No one has the right to influence or interfere with such a decision.”

Schlumberger urged everyone to shun violence. He called on all relevant actors to respond swiftly to this attack, bring the perpetrators to justice and provide a secure environment conducive to a free and fair electoral process.

Schlumberger also condemned all other election-related security incidents reported in Kosovo over the past several days.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo in mandated with human right protection and promotion, democratization and public safety sector development.