In the series of exchanges of views in talks with seasoned specialists on International Law and human rights Albanian Daily News carries the opinions of the Head of the Helsinki Committee in Serbia, Sonja Biserko who is very active in defense of human rights of Albanians in Serbia and maintains that unfortunately, Belgrade is not able or ready to come to terms with the new reality - independent Kosovo - because it is still pursuing its illusions now called the “Serbian world”.

A few days ago Ms. Biserko was in Pristina where she hadn’t gone for two years because of COVID. “A long break, but being vaccinated I decided to visit Kosovo for two reasons. First, to organize a panel “Pending issues between Serbs and Albanians”, part of our YU/History project, and second, I participated in the panel “Turning the page. Restoring trust between Kosovo and Serbia”. Apart from that, I met with many people I know for almost three decades now, some of them are part of the new government.”

According to her, Kosovo is the last act of the disintegration of Yugoslavia but it still does not have full sovereignty, neither international nor internal. The internal one is disputed by the Serbian community under pressure from Belgrade, and the international one, when it comes to the EU, it is disputed by five EU countries that have not yet recognized Kosovo's independence. “The US and the EU initiative to finish the “unfinished business” in the Balkans can and will be hampered by Russia and maybe China.”

Author of the publication “Albanian Minority on Hold, Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja as hostages of the Serbia and Kosovo relations” which was prepared with financial support from the Balkan Trust for Democracy, a project of the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade, President Biserko is worried about the ‘passivation’ being applied in Presevo Valley against Albanians. 

In a comment on the “Open Balkans” Ms. Biserko holds that such initiatives are more simulation of the regional cooperation. “Once North Macedonia and Albania start the negotiating process with the EU it will lose the relevance.” 

She expressed the worry that the Balkans is living in a very turbulent world affecting the region which is a chessboard for bigger actors and territorial aspirations and disputes make it vulnerable. “However, should the region be more self-confident and had there been more solidarity we would certainly be better off. I believe that Europe is our future because we belong there. I do have a dream that Balkans will one day (hope sooner than later) become vibrant and affluent region,” noted Head of the Helsinki Committee in Serbia Sonja Biserko in the following interview:

Albanian Daily News: Madame Biserko, thank you for the opportunity to talk with you particularly after your visit to Pristina where you met some of the highest authorities of Kosovo. Please could you tell us which has been the reason for the visit and your agenda there?  

HCS President Sonja Biserko: Because of COVID I have not been to Kosovo for two years. A long break, but being vaccinated I decided to visit Kosovo for two reasons. First, to organize a panel “Pending issues between Serbs and Albanians”, part of our YU/History project, and second I participated in the panel “Turning the page. Restoring trust between Kosovo and Serbia”. Apart from that, I met with many people I know for almost three decades now, some of them are part of the new government.

- Your valuable contribution to the defense of human rights of Albanians in Presevo Valley has made you a well-known figure among them and a point of reference. Which are the motives, Ms. Biserko, of your dedication to such a cause, and which are your findings about the situation of Albanians in Serbia?

- The position of minorities and their integration into the wider political, economic and cultural community is one of the most important indicators of the democracy. Democracies in the Balkans have not yet been consolidated, nor have they essentially adopted a value system that respects minorities as equals. Almost all governments in the region maneuver between the integration of national minorities into political systems and their segregation. Segregated multiculturalism maintains ethnic distance, without achieving greater integration. It is a multiculturalism that does not establish bridges and cooperation between ethno-cultural groups. Minorities agree to this position because it still represents progress compared to the previous period.

-In a comment on your visit to Pristina, AFEDS said the heads of the Kosovo state listened from a Serbian activist of civil society what they have not heard from the so called ‘our politicians of the neighborhoods’. It was even recommended to them that the Parliament of Kosovo should listen to the ‘voice of the Lady’. Do you have any connections with this organization and in your opinion, what made them take this public stance?

- AFEDS is an organization which has first alerted the public about ongoing discrimination in the Presevo valley, especially about “passivation”. Helsinki Committee was also in touch with Albanians from the south who informed us about the situation. We planned our fact-finding mission much earlier but have not been able for many reasons including COVID pandemic. As of 2013 or 14 the Serbian state is conducting the process of so-called "Passivation of residence of Albanians" working abroad, either in Western Europe or in Kosovo. This "passivation" also targets citizens who permanently reside at their addresses. This measure is, in essence, a form of ethnic cleansing through administrative means.

"Passivation" (mass and selective passivation of residence) leads to individuals losing their status of being a citizen of Serbia and, accordingly, all civil rights – the rights to vote, property, health insurance, pension, employment, etc. Since citizens are not informed about "passivation", they usually lose their right to appeal, the deadline for which is eight days.

-Ms. President, you are quoted as saying that Albanians of Serbia are hostage to Brussels’ dialogue. What has led you to such an assessment? And as we are talking on this issue, according to you, which is the perspective of such an alternative to resolve the Kosovo-Serbia conflict?

- Unfortunately, Serbia is not able or ready to come to terms with new reality -independent Kosovo – because it is still pursuing its illusions now called the “Serbian world” That is why we need international mediation.

Serb and Albanian relations are burdened with numerous layers and stereotypes that make communication and normalization of relations difficult. First, Albanians are deeply traumatized by their experience with the state of Serbia, while the Serbian elite has built a narrative of Serbian innocence, especially for the wars of the 1990s.

Kosovo is the last act of the disintegration of Yugoslavia, but it still does not have full sovereignty, neither international nor internal. The internal one is disputed by the Serbian community under pressure from Belgrade, and the international one, when it comes to the EU, it is disputed by five EU countries that have not yet recognized Kosovo's independence. Belgrade also plays a key role as by relying on Russia it prevents Kosovo's membership in the UN and other international organizations. Lack of full international legitimacy will pose a serious problem for Kosovo's statehood. The changing international context has an impact on the Western Balkans dynamics and is threatening its Euro-Atlantic architecture. The US and the EU initiative to finish the “unfinished business” in the Balkans can and will be hampered by Russia and maybe China.

We must, especially young people, start from the fact the region has a centuries-old common history that casts a long shadow on the future. For generations that were not part of the wars and repression, but know the traumas of the previous generation, it is important to understand the process that led to the dissolution of Yugoslavia and to recognize the points that connect the region. However, the ongoing dialogue should be on the equal footing if it is to be just and fair.

For many reasons the EU cannot afford to abandon enlargement especially not if it is serious about achieving “strategic autonomy”. Therefore, breaking the promise of membership is not an option. European security and foreign policy must prove itself in the Balkans. I believe that it is our future unless EU fails to deliver.

- I will not enter into details but lately a leakage showed the US and Kosovo diplomats talking about the partition of Kosovo. What can you say on this, and secondly, do you think that the Biden administration might endorse such an alternative?

- Partition has been taken off the table by Germany. Unfortunately, it still circulates as an idea especially in Belgrade. Timothy Less, one of the lobbyists, is still active in advocating partition not only of Kosovo but Bosnia as well. We have been witnessing escalation in Bosnia and Kosovo which brought the region to the edge. 

Fixation on the change of borders based on the assumption that ethnic homogeneity guarantees stability is problematic because it is based (in our region for sure) on atrocities, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity and genocide. Recent researches suggest that ethnic division does not guarantee better protection for minorities and does not mean greater stability after the conflict.

The biggest problem of most countries in the region is organized crime that blocks (in case of Kosovo) both communities and prevents democratization of societies by having monopoly over the state. It is not Kosovo Serbs who decide their fate, they are instrumentalized by Belgrade. New government in Kosovo opens up new perspectives for Kosovo, and I hope that it will be able to deliver with the help of the EU and the US. Since we all live in captured states, we need helping hand.

- In the meantime, it’s noticed that there is a rising volume of talk (than of actions) regarding the “Open Balkans” initiative. Seeing the state of the things in the Western Balkans do you think that this initiative would deliver and if yes which might be its first immediate results?

- The Berlin Process is an initiative aimed at stepping up regional cooperation in the Western Balkans and aiding the integration of these countries into the European Union. It has not been up to the expectations but is still the only framework for the Western Balkans if the EU membership is the real objective. Other initiatives such as “Open Balkan” are more simulation of the regional cooperation. Once North Macedonia and Albania start the negotiating process with the EU it will lose the relevance.

-Which will be the impact of Zaev’s resignation on North Macedonia? 

-Local elections in North Macedonia are certainly a test for its fragile democracy and euroatlantic orientation. Resignation of Prime Minister Zaev is democratic decision in a normal and stable environment. But considering that the winning opposition is anti liberal and that it will certainly ask for early national elections Macedonia is entering a new circle of instability.

Possibility of Gruevski's return is an additional problem. The EU missed the opportunity to start negotiations for EU membership which would certainly be in support of Zaev's option. However, Zaev made a courageous decision during his mandate that opened the door of NATO for North Macedonia. I only hope that it is a guarantee for a safe transition. Also, the US should keep its promise to start the campaign against organized crime.

- Now there is nothing to hide that Brussels has more talk than action on the enlargement. What does this signal especially when the EU is involved in the so-called Conference on the Future of Europe with the aim of framing a ‘new Europe’?

- The EU is also confronted with numerous internal and external challenges. As a result, earlier this year EU kickstarted dialogue on the future of Europe; the Western Balkans are excluded though it would be great opportunity for them to share their visions and their concerns. All big challenges ahead of us need European responses. The Western Balkan participation would be useful contribution having in mind their drastic consequences of both ethno-nationalism and populism which have been holding the region back for too long.

- As a passionate activist in defense of human rights, please, how do you see this aspect when there are concerns of a rising authoritarian power in some countries of the Western Balkans?

- If we take the definition of human rights as moral principles or norms that describes certain standards of human behavior, and are regularly protected as legal rights in municipal and international law then I can say that it is farfetched objective ahead of us. It is not enough to declaratively adopt international declarations or conventions, or to have national legal framework corresponding with European norms. It is about our political culture and education. It is also about having authentic human rights movements that act within each political and social context. We are moving to that direction but much more effort is needed by all citizens. It is also about responsibility of each citizen to act from below. That is what democracy and human rights are about.

Unfortunately, we live in the societies that resist liberal values, including the ideology of human rights. In orthodox countries it is even more the case. Orthodox Church is the fiercest critic of the human rights ideology. Orthodox theologians and some churches disapprove the modern concept of human rights.

Human rights record in Serbia, but also its attitude to human rights concept, has not changed over the years - lack of public dialogue, lack of media freedoms (pro-government media outlets continued to smear independent outlets and journalists), disregard of critical opinions and undermining of some already achieved rights and freedoms. War crimes prosecutions in domestic courts lack political support. The asylum system remained flawed, minorities (despite the normative framework) remain segregated or under the pressure of assimilation.

Without EU’s strong support the Western Balkans faces the threat of further regression; and this opens the door wide to other players, especially to Russia and China, to tamper with it. Let alone that a backdrop as such further undermines the situation of human rights and liberal values in the Balkans.

- To conclude with an optimist question: Do you hope that the Western Balkans will turn into an ‘oasis of peace, stability and prosperity’ any time soon because the 6 countries lack nothing like the geographical position, natural resources, innovative younger generation and freedom loving people but also the region is blessed by people’s noble historical and cultural traditions?  

- We live in a very turbulent world which affects the Balkans. It is a chessboard for bigger actors. Territorial aspirations and disputes make us vulnerable. However, should the region be more self-confident and had there been more solidarity we would certainly be better off. I believe that Europe is our future because we belong there.

I do have a dream that Balkans will one day (hope sooner than later) become vibrant and affluent region.