OSCE Mission in Kosovo

On this International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the Mission joins families in remembering their loved ones still missing from the conflict in Kosovo.

Recent recovery efforts in Zubin Potok underline the importance of sustained work to locate, recover and identify missing persons—an essential part of establishing truth and advancing justice.

We encourage all relevant institutions to continue these efforts and cooperate fully through information sharing, searches, recoveries, and forensic examinations, so that families may finally receive the answers for which they have waited far too long.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo takes note of the Kosovo Judicial Council’s decision regarding the requests by Kosovo Serb judges and court staff to withdraw their resignations.

The Mission calls on the KJC to promptly fill the vacant positions through transparent, inclusive, and merit-based recruitment and appointment procedures, in line with applicable constitutional and legal provisions on community representation.

A judicial system that reflects the communities it serves is essential to ensuring equal and effective access to justice for all.

The Mission’s Head of the Office of Political Affairs and Communications, Maid Konjhodzic, today joined families, colleagues and representatives of the journalistic community at a commemoration for Ranko Perenić and Đuro Slavuj, who went missing in 1998 while on assignment between Velika Hoča/Hoçë e Madhe and Zočište/Zoqishtë.

“The memory of Ranko Perenić and Đuro Slavuj compels us to continue seeking answers. Their families deserve justice,” Konjhodzic said.

He also condemned the latest removal of the memorial plaque dedicated to the two journalists. Its repeated destruction is deeply concerning. Memorials honouring victims and missing persons must be respected and protected as places of remembrance for their families, friends, colleagues and communities.

The Mission will continue working with media professionals and journalists’ associations to keep the cases of missing and murdered journalists in public view, while calling for sustained institutional efforts to clarify the fate of all missing persons. Providing families with answers is essential to public trust, reconciliation, and lasting dialogue among all communities.

👩‍💻📰Women journalists play a vital role in safeguarding media freedom and democratic debate, yet many face online harassment, gender-based disinformation and technology-facilitated abuse aimed at silencing their voices.

This is the key insight from the just-published report, "Women in Media and Gender-Based Disinformation in Kosovo," produced by Asociacioni i Gazetarëve të Kosovës - AGK and the Network of Women Journalists of Kosovo, with support from OSCE and funding from Norway.

📊Based on a survey of 54 women journalists and media professionals, the report finds that 61 per cent of respondents experienced online abuse or harassment linked to their work, while half of them were also targeted by false or misleading gender-based narratives.
These attacks often focus on women’s appearance, private lives, or professional credibility rather than the substance of their reporting.

💬“Gender-based disinformation seeks to undermine women journalists’ credibility, safety and voice in public debate. Addressing it requires stronger prevention, protection and co-ordinated institutional response.,” said Pascale Roussy, Director of Democratization Department.

📝The report with key recommendations for strengthening women’s participation, safety and leadership in Kosovo’s media sector is available here:

ENG▶️ https://agk-ks.org/site/assets/files/4158/raporti_agk_women_in_media_enga_1.pdf?
ALB ▶️ https://agk-ks.org/site/assets/files/4158/raporti_agk_women_in_media_shqip.pdf?
SER ▶️ https://agk-ks.org/site/assets/files/4158/raporti_agk_women_in_media_serbisht.pdf?

📸OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti

📝🎙️𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 - 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫?

As part of our series, journalists, editors and media representatives discussed gender-sensitive journalism and the role of media in preventing Violence Against Women (VAW).

How responsible reporting can protect survivors’ dignity, challenge harmful stereotypes and contribute to preventing VAW was the main reflection during the discussion.🛡️💬

🔎Other points included practical ways media can strengthen responsible reporting, from highlighting good practices and avoiding sensationalism and victim-blaming, to looking beyond individual cases and exploring the systemic nature and root causes of VAW.

Responsible journalism helps shape a more informed public conversation and contributes to a society where everyone can live free from violence.



📸OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti

✨What a great week in Prizren!✨

In co-operation with Dokufest, facilitated the participation of more than 100 young people from non-majority communities across Kosovo, in one of the biggest cultural events.🎬

Through film screenings and discussions, young participants explored themes including human rights, identity, arts, the environment and community resilience, connecting across community lines, exchanging perspectives and building greater mutual understanding. 🎥💬🌱

🤝The Mission continues to advocate for inclusive spaces and equal opportunities for all communities to participate in social, cultural and public life.

𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐜𝐆𝐮𝐫𝐤: 𝐀 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬💡

Yesterday was Youth Day. Today, I met tomorrow’s youth!

I had a great start to my morning with the children of Akademia Shega, talking about why everyone matters, why our differences make us stronger and how small acts of kindness can make a big difference - to people, our communities and the planet we all share. 🌱

The future is bright! ✨

Photos: OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti

🌍Happy !✨

Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are the changemakers of today, helping build societies where everyone’s voice, rights and opportunities matter.

celebrated the day by supporting activities that brought young people together across communities:

📍Gračanica/Graçanicë

Young people, civil society representatives and municipal officials participated at the Gracanica Innovation Centre(GIC) for an interactive workshop combining dialogue, youth rights and participation with hands-on learning in 3D printing, robotics, Arduino and AI.

The activity, organized by GIC, the Forum for Development and Multiethnic Co-operation and supported by the municipality of Gračanica/Graçanicë, brought young people from different communities together to foster co-operation, civic engagement and creative problem-solving, using technology and innovation as a starting point for teamwork and exchange.🤖

📍Obiliq/Obilić

Through “Mapping Shared Spaces – Youth Stories of Obiliq/Obilić,” young people from different communities identified parks, sports grounds, cultural facilities, libraries and other spaces that could serve as safe and inclusive places for joint activities.

The activity, implemented by Youth Center, aimed to turn young people’s ideas and experiences into a practical map and recommendations for municipal institutions and youth stakeholders, while promoting inter-community dialogue, youth participation and co-operation.🌳🏀📚

📍 Kamenicë/Kamenica

Our OSCE colleague Faruk Dermaku met with Erza Shillova, the designated Kamenicë/Kamenica “Mayor for a Day”, to discuss youth-related issues and explore how local government can better integrate young people’s perspectives into its work, while giving youth first-hand experience in municipal governance.

📍Pejë/Peć

Students, teachers, municipal representatives, mental health professionals, community members and Local Public Safety Committee representatives in Pejë/Peć discussed how to make schools safer and more supportive.

Young people shared their experiences and perspectives on bullying, violence, substance abuse, and mental health. Joined by the Mayor of Pejë/Peć, Gazmend Muhaxheri, and other local stakeholders, they explored where to seek support, how concerns can be addressed and how young people themselves can contribute to positive change.

By connecting young people directly with schools, institutions and community safety mechanisms, the roundtable demonstrated a simple but important principle: safer schools are built with young people, not just for them.


🤝The Mission highlighted the importance of establishing a Local Youth Council in Gračanica/Graçanicë and Obiliq/Obilić as a key mechanism for meaningful youth participation in local decision-making, in line with the new Law on Youth.