OSCE Mission calls for enhanced protection of cultural and religious heritage in Kosovo
PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 9 April 2014 - The legal framework on the protection of cultural and religious heritage is generally in line with international human rights standards, however, it fails to clearly define and divide institutional responsibilities in this regard, which adversely affects the protection of a rich and diverse cultural heritage, concludes a report by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.
The report Challenges in the Protection of Immovable Tangible Cultural Heritage in Kosovo calls for improvements in the legislation and urges central and local level institution to improve their co-operation, develop a comprehensive inventory list of the cultural heritage sites and include them in the spatial plans. It also urges an increase in the frequency of site inspections, measures to prevent vandalism and illegal construction around those sites.
“Cultural heritage which includes objects, places, and traditions tells history and preserves essential elements of our identities, namely language and religion. It defines each and every community and each and every one of us, and that is why it must be protected,” said Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.
“I hope that this report and the recommendations it provide will help Kosovo institutions to improve further the protection of cultural heritage in Kosovo. The pending revision of the Law on Cultural Heritage offers an opportunity to better define the institutions’ roles and responsibilities in the protection and promotion of cultural heritage.”
The report also notes positive developments, such as the creation of a special Kosovo Police unit tasked with protecting cultural heritage, the efforts of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the cultural heritage Implementation and Monitoring Council in dealing with cases of illegal construction affecting cultural and religious heritage sites.
The report covers the period from January 2010 to February 2014 and is based on regular monitoring activities by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. The report can be accessed at https://www.osce.org/kosovo/117276