Minority Rights Group (MRG) has accused Kosovo, independent since February 2008, of lack of commitment in protecting minority communities within its borders through a severe report which has been issued today. The London-based organization is not the only institution censuring Kosovo's policies on this regard, since the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe did so in the first place.

According to the international organisation, the most affected groups are the Bosniaks, Askali, Croats, Egyptians, Gorani, Roma, Serbs and Turks. The report, entitled Filling the Vacuum: Ensuring Protection and Legal Remedies for Minorities in Kosovo, regards restriction of movements, political, social and economic exclusion, lack of access to information and to tertiary education in their own language as the main problems suffered by minority communities. As reported by MRG, "this, combined with tough economic conditions, means that some members of minority communities, including Bosniaks and Turks, are starting to leave the new Kosovo altogether".

The report calls for Pristina to "ensure the active participation of all minority groups in all aspects of Kosovo public life". It also states that the EU accession process should be a good opportunity to progress on the protection of minorities, and asks the EU to address Kosovo's deficiencies on this regard.

Further information:

• MRG: Filling the Vacuum: Ensuring Protection and Legal Remedies for Minorities in Kosovo