As member organizations of the Human Rights Network (HRN), we are extremely concerned by the recent decision of the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MINT), respectively the Business Registration Agency of Kosovo (BRAK), to suspend the business certificate of the Trading Company “Klan Kosova” LLC, part of which it is also the Klan Kosova public television.
The Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MINT) announced on June 14, 2023 that it has submitted a criminal complaint to the Kosovo Police, Serious Crimes Department, against Klan Kosova and other officials from the Business Registration Agency on suspicions of misuse of official duty, as well as misuse of economic authorizations.
The Human Rights Network (HRN) considers this decision as a direct violation of freedom of expression and media. The Republic of Kosovo is a democratic state with a Constitution that guarantees human rights and freedoms, including that of freedom of expression and free press. The suspension of Klan Kosova’s license without due process by court of law and based on legally unsubstantiated suspicions creates a dangerous anti-democratic precedent and suppresses basic rights such as freedom of expression.
The decision by MINT resembles an attempt to control the media and limit free speech. Therefore, we are very concerned about the message it conveys not only to Klan Kosova but to every other media in Kosovo. Free and independent media must conduct their work ethically and professionally. No government decision has competency or legal authority to interfere in this essential process for the functioning of a democratic society.
Human Rights Network strongly supports the freedom of media and expression, and stands in solidarity with all media institutions, and the journalists who perform an incomparable job on a daily basis exercising these freedoms.
A democratic society requires full functioning of law and order, and we appreciate every effort towards this. But the suspension of the work of a media outlet by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade is anti-Constitutional and undermines human rights and democratic principles in Kosovo. We cannot, in any way, allow the creation of such intimidating and threatening precedents in regards to freedom of expression and freedom of the media. We call on Prime Minister Kurti to immediately cancel the decision of MINT and take immediate actions against Minister Rozeta Hajdari for these unacceptable actions towards the very fundamental democratic values.
Human Rights Network members:
Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo (YIHR KS)
Association of Paraplegics and Paralyzed Children of Kosovo HANDIKOS
Center for Equality and Liberty – Cel Kosovo
Kosovo Law Institute (KLI)
Kosovar Gender Studies Center (KGSC)
New Social Initiative – Nova društvena inicijativa (NSI)
Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians(VoRAE)
