OSCE condemns death threats against journalists in Kosovo, calls for protection

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA/VIENNA, 18 September 2014 - Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović, expressed today their concern over the safety of journalists and condemned the latest in a series of death threats against Artan Haraqija, a journalist with the Indeksonline news portal.

“It is absolutely unacceptable for journalists to be exposed to constant pressure and death threats. I call on law enforcement agencies to do their utmost to ensure that those who are posing threats to human rights and freedoms, and safety of journalists, are brought to justice", Schlumberger said.

Haraqija had worked with Visar Duriqi, a journalist from GazetaExpress, on a joint report about radical Muslim groups operating in Kosovo. He received the latest death threats following his appearance on the KTV show ‘Rubikon’ two days ago. Haraqija reported those threats to the police last night, while Duriqi had earlier reported threats made against him.

“This is the second threat against a journalist in Kosovo this month. Freedom of media and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights and they must be protected,” said Mijatović.

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