Publications

The report provides an overview of the current status of voluntary returns to Kosovo, including conflict-affected displacements of persons to the Western Balkans region and within Kosovo itself. The reports finds that while there have been some improvements since 2012, the return process is affected by unresolved property issues, administrative difficulties in applications for assistance, and in some returns sites, problematic inter-community relations and security incidents.

The Justice Monitor is a biannual publication of the observations of OSCE monitors in the first instance courts in Kosovo. The Justice Monitor aims to provide policymakers and justice sector actors with indicators not otherwise available to assist in the identification of compliance gaps in the administration of justice and the tracking of progress achieved in closing those gaps.

The report provides an assessment of freedom of the media in Kosovo, implementation of applicable legal framework which provides for freedom of expression and of the media, access to information, the protection of sources of journalists, professional reporting standards and level of self-censorship/censorship in the media, including intimidation and threats against journalists. It also assesses the work of media institutions in protecting freedom of the media. The report poses two overarching questions: the first asking about challenges and violations of freedom of the media and safety of journalists in Kosovo, and secondly, it explores the responses to violations and challenges to freedom of expression and of media and safety of journalists.

The report assesses the four local-level mechanisms for the protection and promotion of communities’ rights and interests – the municipal office for communities and return, the communities committee, the deputy mayor for communities and the deputy municipal assembly chairperson for communities – including a review of the legal and policy framework and of establishment and practical functioning.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo conducts regular monitoring, reporting and advocacy for the full realization of the language rights of all communities in Kosovo. Analyzing practices at the local level, this report reveals that more than seven years after its promulgation, the Law on the Use of Languages remains only partially implemented due to insufficient human and financial resources, often accompanied by lack of sufficient understanding of obligations and/or lack of political will.

This Manual introduces members and staff of the Assembly of Kosovo committees to the new practice of conducting budget oversight. It provides guidance on how to prepare and conduct a committee oversight exercise on budget expenditure of line ministries. Following this introduction, chapter 2 introduces the budget cycle in Kosovo and describes the role of the AoK in this process. It proceeds to explain the rationale for functional committees engaging in budget oversight. Chapter 3 provides practical advice and step-by-step guidance through a budget oversight exercise. The manual was developed based on the successful budget oversight exercise by the Committee on Internal Affairs and Security of the Ministry of Interior and the Kosovo Police.

This report assesses whether the relevant international human rights standards regarding the protection of immovable tangible cultural heritage are complied with by the Kosovo legal framework and to what extent the central- and local-level institutions apply these standards and thus respect, protect and fulfil everyone’s right to access and benefit from cultural heritage.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo promotes human rights, good governance and the safety of all people living in Kosovo by monitoring and supporting the work of local institutions. The Mission, established in 1999, is the OSCE's largest field operation.

The report reassesses progress by relevant institutions towards sustainable reintegration of repatriated persons. While there have been significant improvements since 2011, full implementation of the new legal and policy framework is crucial.

This handbook is meant to be used as a tool to take concrete steps towards building and maintaining well-functioning councils by incoming or newer local youth action council (LYAC) members. It has been drafted with significant input from LYACs themselves on issues such as municipal youth action plans, youth strategies, and volunteerism.