Letter to Ahtisari

To: President Martti Ahtisaari, UN Secretary General Envoy in Charge of
           the  Negotiations on  the future status on Kosovo
From: egional Women’s Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice in South East Europe
Date: 11 September 2006

Subject: SUPPORTING JUST AND LASTING SOLUTION FOR KOSOVO

                               
Dear President Ahtisaari,   

The Regional Women’s Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice in South East Europe was established as an outcome of consultations among women political leaders and women’s human rights activists from countries of South East Europe. The Lobby is dedicated to engaging in political and advocacy actions to advance lasting peace and stability in the region. The Lobby is furthermore committed to advancing the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 of October 2000 that calls for ensuring the presence and contribution of women in all phases of peacemaking and peace-building processes. The Lobby has identified the future status of Kosovo as a priority for focus at this time.

The Regional Women’s Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice, in its follow up meeting in Vienna on 9-10 September 2006, addressed the Vienna talks on status of Kosovo and decided to share with you the following:

Having in mind that resolution of the status of Kosovo, as soon as possible, is an imperative for regional lasting stability;

Assessing critically important that the future status talks are not stalled by any side, which can lead to frustration;

Warning that solution should not cause new divisions that will create further tensions down the line and prevent sustainable peace;

We consider that just and lasting settlement of the status of Kosovo must be based on some key principles that are:

•     Respecting the political will of majority in Kosovo for independent state of Kosovo with full sovereignty over its entire territory

•     Guaranteeing full rights of minorities according to international and national standards on human rights

•     Integrating the concept of decentralization based on European Convention on Local Governance and avoiding the decentralization based on ethnic lines

•     Avoiding any segregation practices by trying to create any institutions of justice, police, education, health, administrative, etc. based on ethnic lines, in the name of providing assurances for minorities

We also consider that it is important to ensure that the public in Serbia and in Kosovo is prepared /educated and encouraged to support the outcomes of the status talks, noting that the negotiations are not debated or publicized sufficiently. In this respect, we are especially concerned with developments in Serbia relating to the freedom of expression. The ongoing campaigns and demonization of those who express different views on Kosovo prevent an open dialogue in the society.

Evaluating highly your expertise in conflict resolution and your success in bringing peace to some very complex parts of the world, we call on you to do your utmost in realizing the lasting solution for Kosovo that will bring stability in the region and speed up Euro-Atlantic integrations.

Sincerely,  

Regional Women’s Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice in South East Europe

Bosnja and Hercegovina
Meliha Alic
Memnuna Zvezdic

Croatia
Gordana Sobol
Biljana Kasic

Kosovo
Nekibe Kelmendi
Edita Tahiri
Igballe Rogova
Luljeta Vuniqi

Macedonia
Irina Pockova

Serbia
Sonja Biserko
Natasa Kandic
Stanislavka Zajevic
Jasmina Tesanovic