“Not in my name”, Haziri asks Kurti to act: The solution is on your desk

The organiser of the “Not in my name” protest, Çlirim Haziri, has called on Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the Government of Kosovo to forward to the Assembly the draft law amending and supplementing the Law on the Specialist Chambers.

On the 14th night of the protest in “Skënderbeu” Square in Pristina, Haziri said the declaration adopted a day earlier by 99 MPs does not meet the protesters’ demands if it is not followed by concrete legal action.

Kosovo’s Assembly on Monday adopted, with 99 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions, the declaration on the Specialist Chambers’ verdict against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. The declaration, however, produces no binding legal effects.

Addressing the protesters, Haziri thanked the citizens who, as he said, even after two weeks continue to gather every evening.

“I know that after a long day, with work worries, with the children, with everyday life and the burden each of us carries, the easiest thing would be to stay at home. But here we are! Together again. Here again,” Haziri said.

According to him, the continuation of the protest shows that citizens are not tired, but are running out of patience waiting for institutional action.

“Just look each other in the eyes: there is no sluggishness here! In this square there is only one thing that is boiling more every day: patience is running out here! It is not fatigue that is growing, but patience that is running out,” he said.

Haziri also spoke about the declaration adopted by the Assembly, saying that after its vote responsibility, in his view, can no longer be shifted from one institution to another.

“Until yesterday they played ping-pong with state responsibility. They sold us fog and told us: ‘Wait for the Assembly, because without the Assembly speaking we can do nothing’. Well, the Assembly made its move. 99 MPs from all parties voted for that famous declaration,” Haziri declared.

He described the declaration as insufficient if it is not followed by the legal changes the protesters are demanding.

“They are words nicely lined up on a piece of paper just to say: ‘There, we did ours, wash your hands’. Zero legal consequences. Zero! This declaration, without the law behind it, is exactly like feeding us with an empty spoon,” he said.

“Kosovo is not a tower built of paper. Kosovo is a tower of toil, sweat, sacrifice and blood. A tower is held up by deeds, and a state is held up by laws! Not by declarations,” Haziri added.

The protest enters its 14th night; citizens demand action from Kosovo’s institutions, as Telegrafi reports.

The protest organiser asked MPs to prove the support expressed through the declaration also if the draft law reaches the Assembly for a vote.

“If yesterday 99 hands were raised so easily for a piece of paper that upsets no one’s balance, how many of those hands will be raised when the law comes onto the agenda? Will their hands tremble then, or will they hide under the table?” he asked.

Haziri then said the protesters’ attention is focused on the Government and the forwarding of the draft law.

He stressed that the organisers are not yet accusing the executive of blocking it, but are waiting for action.

“We are not coming out tonight to shout and say that you have blocked it and do not want to vote it. That remains to be seen. We are waiting. We have not given a verdict. We are measuring you,” Haziri said.

He then addressed Prime Minister Kurti directly, asking for the draft law to be forwarded.

“Prime Minister, on that desk you do not simply have a draft law! It is not an ordinary administrative instruction. It is not a usual regulation. What you have on your desk is the dignity of this state!” Haziri said.

The “Not in my name” protests have been taking place in Pristina since 16 September, after the first-instance verdict against the four former KLA leaders. A larger protest in the capital has been announced for 1 October.

Haziri said the protesters will not withdraw and warned of a large turnout on 1 October.

“We have knocked with words. We have waited patiently. But patience, brothers and sisters, has reached its limit! If you think this revolt is closed with a facade declaration, remember well: On 1 October, you will understand what force this square holds!” he said.

“On 1 October, our voice will no longer be waiting — it will be a river of people, a real flood, an unstoppable hurricane of this people! The solution is on your desk. Act before it is too late!” Haziri concluded, as Telegrafi reports.