Document #1125397
Freedom House (Author)
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Democratic Governance | 5.75 | 5.50 | 5.25 | 5.50 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 |
Electoral Process | 4.75 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.25 | 4.50 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.75 | 4.75 | 4.75 |
Civil Society | 4.25 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 4.00 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 |
Independent Media | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.50 | 5.25 |
Local Democratic Governance | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.25 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.75 | 4.75 | 4.75 | 4.75 | 4.50 |
Judicial Framework and Independence | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.75 | 5.75 |
Corruption | 6.00 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 |
Democracy Score | 5.36 | 5.21 | 5.14 | 5.07 | 5.18 | 5.18 | 5.25 | 5.14 | 5.14 | 5.07 |
NOTE: The ratings reflect the consensus of Freedom House, its academic advisers, and the author(s) of this report. If consensus cannot be reached, Freedom House is responsible for the final ratings. The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 7 the lowest. The Democracy Score is an average of ratings for the categories tracked in a given year. The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s).
Kosovo continued its democratic consolidation at a slow pace in 2015, moving one step further in the process of European integration and continuing dialogue on normalization of relations with Serbia, but making little progress in strengthening its statehood. A critical development was Kosovo’s signing of a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union (EU), which marked the first contractual step towards EU membership. However, the ongoing political crisis in national governance overshadowed these and other developments.
The current government was formed at the end of 2014 through an unexpected and highly unpopular coalition between the Democratic Party of Kosovo (Partia Demokratike e Kosovës, PDK) of then deputy prime minister and foreign minister Hashim Thaçi and the Democratic League of Kosovo (Lidhja Demokratike e Kosovës, LDK) of Prime Minister Isa Mustafa. Despite record-low approval ratings of only 17 percent, with a supermajority of the 100 directly elected seats and support of ethnic minority parties holding another 20 seats, the coalition was able to pursue a policy and legislative agenda containing three controversial components: demarcating Kosovo’s border with Montenegro; passing special legislation to enable international prosecution of war crimes; and reaching four agreements with Serbia, one of which extends the self-governing powers of the Serb community in Kosovo.
Unable to stop the coalition’s agenda through parliamentary means, the three opposition parties channelled popular anger at the government by organizing petitions, staging protests, and, most controversially, by throwing tear gas in plenary sessions and attacking government ministers with pepper spray. The governing parties’ response was no less controversial. Ruling coalition MPs passed crucial legislation, including the state budget, in an alternative location in the parliament building that security forces prevented opposition MPs from reaching. Police arrested and detained half of the opposition MPs in several incidents, some under highly questionable circumstances.
The crisis continued through the end of 2015, with opposition parties demanding a reversal of the policies related to war crimes courts, the Montenegrin border, and Serbia, and the government ignoring their demands. While it remains unknown whether and how the situation will be resolved, the conduct of both government and opposition indicates the fragility of Kosovo’s process of democratic consolidation and the antidemocratic tendencies of some political actors.
Despite the political stalemate, some institutions continued their democratic consolidation, albeit at a slow pace. In 2015, the parliament elected an independent candidate to the position of ombudsperson and took a more decisive role in overseeing independent regulatory authorities. The Assembly increased cooperation with civil society organizations, although much work is needed to make this cooperation structured and systematic. Authorities also elected a chief prosecutor and new president of the Constitutional Court, but many top positions, including two judgeships on the Constitutional Court, still remain vacant due to partisan clashes. Political parties continued to nominate partisan candidates for ostensibly apolitical public positions.
Internal elections in three political parties demonstrated the dominance of unchallenged leaders in different political groupings. Electoral reform did not restart in 2015 and is currently not on the government’s agenda. There were positive steps in local governance, as municipalities in northern Kosovo began functioning and citizen satisfaction with local governments improved. Civil society organizations continued to be vibrant and influence policies but only in the final stages of the policymaking cycle, and sustainable financing remains the biggest challenge for the civic sector. Some positive developments have been noted at the University of Pristina, the largest public university in the country, which suffered from politicization and cronyism over the last decade. Judicial independence has shown minor improvements, with authorities arresting several high-profile individuals, including an international drug lord and corrupt officials of the judiciary. Corruption remains widespread, though, and the fight against it has not been effective.
Score Changes:
As a result, Kosovo’s Democracy Score improved from 5.14 to 5.07.
Outlook for 2016: Kosovo’s political deadlock will continue during the first part of 2016 due to the hardened stances of the government and opposition parties, which make any negotiations unlikely. The crisis may deepen further as the mandate of President Atifetete Jahjaga, a nonpartisan figure, expires. According to the government coalition deal between PDK and LDK, the LDK MPs will be required to vote for PDK leader Hashim Thaçi as president in indirect parliamentary elections. The opposition, as well as a good portion of the society’s elite, including media and civil society, are very much against a Thaçi presidency because of the prosecution and conviction of members of his party for corruption. Although Thaçi is likely to be voted president, the political tension will continue to push other policy developments to the margins. Dialogue with Serbia may stall for much of 2016, while additional reforms such as electoral legislation may remain indefinitely stalled.
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.75 | 5.50 | 5.25 | 5.50 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.75 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.25 | 4.50 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.75 | 4.75 | 4.75 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.25 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 4.00 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.50 | 5.25 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.50 | 5.50 | 5.25 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.75 | 4.75 | 4.75 | 4.75 | 4.50 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.75 | 5.75 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.00 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 |
Author: Krenar Gashi
Krenar Gashi is a doctoral researcher in political science at Ghent University, Belgium.
[1] Public Pulse Project Team, “Public Pulse Report X, Kosovo,” United Nations Development Program, October 2015, http://www.ks.undp.org/content/kosovo/en/home/library/democratic_governance/public-pulse-10/
[2] Petrit Collaku, “Kosovo Politicians Trade Accusations after Unrest,” Balkan Insight, 28 January 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/the-government-and-opposition-bl...
[3] Una Hajdari, “Serbs Call Off Boycott of Kosovo Parliament,” Balkan Insight, 24 April 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serb-representatives-return-to-kosovo-parliament-and-govt
[4] Petrit Collaku, “Kosovo Vote on New War Crimes Court Fails,” Balkan Insight, 26 June 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-parliament-war-crimes-court-vote
[5] Petrit Collaku, “Kosovo Parliament Votes for New War Crimes Court,” Balkan Insight, 3 August 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-parliament-new-war-crimes-court-vote-08-03-2015
[6] Federica Mogherini, “Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini following the meeting of the EU-facilitated dialogue,” European Union, 25 August 2015, http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2015/150825_02_en.htm
[7] For an example of the public debate, see Sbunker, 29 August 2015, http://sbunker.net/perballje/
[8] “ Kosovo Tear Gas: MPs Stage Protest in Parliament Again,” British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 15 October 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34538667
[9] “ Albin Kurti u lendua nga sprej qe hodhi vet” [Albin Kurti injured by his own spray], Zeri.info, 17 November 2015, http://www.zeri.info/aktuale/62420/albin-kurti-u-lendua-nga-sprej-qe-hodhi-vet-video/
[10] Associated Press, “Western powers condemn Kosovo opposition’s violent protest,” cnsnews.com, 22 November 2015, http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/western-powers-condemn-kosovo-oppositions-violent-protests
[11] Bekim Shehu, “Kuvendi I Kosoves ratifikon marreveshjen e MSA-se” [Kosovo Assembly ratifies SAA], Deutsche Welle, 2 November 2015, http://www.dw.com/sq/kuvendi-i-kosov%C3%ABs-ratifikon-marr%C3%ABveshjen-e-msa-s%C3%AB/a-18821725
[12] “Press Release,” Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kosovo, 10 November 2015, http://gjk-ks.org/?cid=2,28,446
[13] Erjone Popova, “Kosovo court approves Serbian municipal association,” Balkan Insight, 24 December 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-constitutional-court-appr...
[14] Erjone Popova, “Kosovo Arrests More MPs for Disrupting Parliament,” Balkan Insight, 15 December 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/more-kosovo-mps-arrested-and-ass...
[15] “Miratohet në parim projektligji për buxhetin 2016” [Draft law on 2016 budget is approved in principle], Zeri.info, 17 November 2015, http://www.zeri.info/aktuale/62411/miratohet-ne-parim-projektligji-per-b...
[16] Albert Ahmeti, “Për 7 muaj Kuvendi miratoi vetem 26 ligje” [In 7 months the Assembly adopted only 26 laws], Zeri.info, 6 August 2015, http://zeri.info/aktuale/45730/per-7-muaj-kuvendi-miratoi-vetem-26-ligje/
[17] “Ulet TVSH-ja per produktet elementare” [The VAT for elementary products decreased], Koha.net, 24 March 2015, http://koha.net/?id=&l=49962
[18] “Abrashi: I kemi zbuluar 710 raste ku persona të vdekur vazhdojnë të marrin pensione” [Abrashi: We have discovered 710 cases where deceased people were still receiving pensions], Koha.net, 29 September 2015, http://koha.net/?id=27&l=77096
[19] Liridon Llapashtica, “Rriten pensionet për 100 euro” [Pensions increased to 100 euro], Zeri.info, 17 October 2015, http://zeri.info/ekonomia/56764/rriten-pensionet-per-100-euro/
[20] “Ligji i përgjimeve miratohet pas një debati të gjatë në Kuvend” [Law on surveillance adopted after a long debate in the Assembly], Lajmi.net, 28 May 2015, http://lajmi.net/ligji-i-pergjimeve-miratohet-pas-nje-debati-te-gjate-ne-kuvend/
[21] Una Hajdari, “Kosovo to Jail Fighters in Foreign Conflicts,” Balkan Insight, 13 March 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-law-to-punish-fighting-in-foreign-conflicts
[22] “Thellohet bashkëpunimi Kuvend – shoqëri civile” [The cooperation between the Assembly and civil society deepens], RTK, 3 June 2015, http://www.rtklive.com/?id=2&r=32835
[23] “Republic of Kosovo: Letter of Intent, Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies, and Technical Memorandum of Understanding,” International Monetary Fund, 6 July 2015, http://www.imf.org/external/np/loi/2015/ukr/070615.pdf; “IMF Executive Board Approves €147.5 million Stand-By Arrangement for Republic of Kosovo,” International Monetary Fund, 29 July 2015, https://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2015/pr15362.htm
[24] Una Hajdari, “Kosovo Minister Laments Decline in FDI,” Balkan Insight, 11 February 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/foreign-investments-in-kosovo-are-dropping-says-minister
[25] Andrew Byrne and Jeevan Vasagar, “Wave of Kosovan migration sparks unease in European capitals,” Financial Times, 25 February 2015, http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/108a8d7a-b90e-11e4-b8e6-00144feab7de.html
[26] Dusica Tomovic, “Germany Curbs Balkan Rights to Claim Asylum,” Balkan Insight, 8 September 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/germany-tightens-up-on-balkan-mi...
[27] Johannes Hahn, “Connectivity Agenda for the Western Balkans,” European Commission, 25 March 2015, http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-15-4693_en.htm
[28] “Kuvendi miraton Rezolutën për demarkacionin me Malin e Zi” [Assembly approves the resolution on demarcation with Montenegro], Telegrafi.com, 25 June 2015, http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/kuvendi-miraton-rezoluten-per-demarkacion-me-malin-e-zi-2-65850.html
[29] Agence France-Press, “Kosovo Fails in Unesco membership bid,” The Guardian, 9 November 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/09/kosovo-fails-in-unesco-membership-bid
[30] Bekim Shehu, “Vlladeta Kostiq zgjidhet kryetar i ri i komunës së Graçanicës” [Vladeta Kostic elected mayor of Gracanica], Deutsche Welle, 19 January 2015, http://www.dw.com/sq/vlladeta-kostiq-zgjidhet-kryetar-i-ri-i-komun%C3%ABs-s%C3%AB-gra%C3%A7anic%C3%ABs/a-18199575
[31] Selvije Bajrami, “Përfundojnë zgjedhjet në LDK” [The LDK elections are completed], Zeri.info, 31 May 2015, http://www.zeri.info/aktuale/35135/perfundojne-zgjedhjet-ne-ldk-isa-mustafa-zgjidhet-kryetar-foto-video/
[32] See remarks made by Nexhmedin Spahiu and political analysts Belul Beqaj, Ilir Ibrahimi, and Bajrush Morina on Zona e Debatit TV Show, Klan Kosova, 28 May 2015, http://klankosova.tv/katemisionet/zona-b/?emision_id=28718; See also the series of Zona e Debatit TV Debates in the same link.
[33] “Visar Ymeri në krye të Vetëvendosjes me 96.42 për qind të votive” [Visar Ymeri to lead Vetevendosje with 96.42 percent of the vote], Koha.net, 23 February 2015, http://koha.net/?id=27&l=45909
[34] See numerous remarks made throughout the election period by civil society activists and political analysts, particularly on two TV shows: Zona e Debatit on Klan Kosova and Click on RTV 21. “Klan Kosova,” Youtube page, accessed 4 April 2016, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_SXHVF21a9FqvEbtsyNcPg; “Radiotelevision 21 [Official Channel]” Youtube page, accessed 4 April 2016, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Uy4yaBNxp0ocYLrLNNrxQ
[35] Ibid.
[36] Amire Qamili, “Pa surprize ne AAK” [No surprises in AAK], Kallxo.com, 2 July 2015, http://kallxo.com/pa-surprize-ne-aak-ramush-haradinaj-perseri-kryetar/
[37] Department for Registration and Liaison of NGOs, Ministry of Public Administration, The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, Official Website, accessed 4 April 2016, https://map.rks-gov.net/Departments/DOJQ.aspx?lang=sq-AL
[38] Author’s interviews with civil society representatives: Agron Demi (Gap Institute), Burim Ejupi (Institute for Development Policy) and Petrit Zogaj (Levizja Fol), September 2015.
[39] “The 2014 CSO Sustainability Index for Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia,” United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 2014, https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1863/EuropeEurasia_FY2014_CSOSI_Report.pdf
[40] Author interviews with civil society representatives: Agron Demi (Gap Institute) and Burim Ejupi (Institute for Development Policy), September 2015.
[41] “Lista vendore e OJQ-ve të regjistruara” [List of all registered NGOs in Kosovo], Ministry of Public Administration, 18 January 2016, https://map.rks-gov.net/getattachment/93887c94-474c-4502-968f-659ad81911a4/Lista-vendore-e-OJQ-ve-te-regjistruara.aspx
[42] Una Hajdari, “Kosovo Police Raid NGOs Linked to Iran,” Balkan Insight, 25 June 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-raid-ngos-with-ties-to-iran
[43] Jusuf Thaci, “Bilanci njevjecar i rektorit Zejnullahu” [An annual balance of rector Zejnullahu], Sbunker, 17 October 2015, http://sbunker.net/op-ed/44442/bilanci-njevjecar-i-rektorit-zejnullahu/
[44] Shkamb Qavdarbasha, “The State of Media in Kosovo, 2015,” Institute for Development Policy, 2015, http://www.indep.info/documents/71012_INDEP%20-%20The%20State%20of%20the%20Media%20in%20Kosovo%202015.pdf
[45] Besa Kalaja, “Liria e garantuar por e cenuar” [Freedom, guaranteed yet jeopardized], Preportr, 26 May 2015, http://preportr.com/sq/I-News/Liria-e-garantuar-por-e-cenuar-410
[46] “EU Award for Investigative Journalism in Kosovo given to Vehbi Kajtazi,” Southeast European Media Observatory, 15 June 2015, http://mediaobservatory.net/news-and-events/eu-award-investigative-journalism-kosovo-given-vehbi-kajtazi
[47] “2015 Media Stability Index – Kosovo,” International Research and Exchanges Board, 2015, https://www.irex.org/resource/kosovo-media-sustainability-index-msi
[48] Naser Miftari, “Kosovo’s Media Closer to Stability,” The Media Project, 25 June 2015, http://themediaproject.org/article/kosovos-media-near-sustainability-despite-weaknesses?page=full
[49] “SEEMO interview with Zekerja Shabani,” Southeast European Media Observatory, accessed 4 April 2016, http://www.seemo.org/SEEMO-Interview-with-Zekirja-Shabani.html; “AGK denon sulmin ne KosSev” [AJK condemns attack on KosSev], Telegrafi, 11 June 2015, http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/agk-denon-sulmin-ne-kossev-2-65036.html
[50] “Korporata Devolli kampanje ofenduese ndaj gazetarit Berat Buzhala” [Devolli Corporation with a smearing campaign against journalist Berat Buzhala], Gazeta Express, 2 March 2015, http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/korporata-devolli-kampanje-ofenduese-ndaj-gazetarit-te-express-berat-buzhala-84197/?archive=1
[51] “AGK kerkon te nisen procedurat disiplinore kunder Dardan Nuhiut” [AJK demands disciplinary procedures against Dardan Nuhiu], Kosova Press, 9 April 2015, http://www.kosovapress.com/sq/nacionale/agk-kerkon-pergjegjesi-nga-nuhiu-per-kercenimin-ndaj-gashit-39641/
[52] “Linje telefonike falas per raportim te kercenimeve ndaj gazetareve” [Free phone line to report threats against journalists], Telegrafi, 28 September 2015, http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/linje-telefonike-falas-per-raportim-te-kercenimeve-ndaj-gazetareve-2-71391.html
[53] “Raporti Vjetor” [Annual Report], Independent Media Commission, March 2014, http://www.kpm-ks.org/materiale/dokument/1400761852.6487.pdf
[54] Shkamb Qavdarbasha, “The State of Media in Kosovo, 2015,” Institute for Development Policy, 2015, http://www.indep.info/documents/71012_INDEP%20-%20The%20State%20of%20the%20Media%20in%20Kosovo%202015.pdf
[55] “Mustafa: RTK po vazhdon te sillet si TV partiak” [Mustafa: RTK continues to behave as a partisan TV station], Koha.net, 17 January 2015, http://koha.net/?id=27&l=41189
[56] “60 redaktore e gazetare te RTK-se demantojne drejtorin e tyre” [60 editors and journalists of RTK prove their director wrong], Gazeta Express, 12 April 2015, http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/60-redaktore-e-gazetare-te-rtk-se-demantojne-drejtorin-e-tyre-93480/?archive=1
[57] “Transkript nga degjimi publik i Komisionit per Zhvillim Ekonomik, Infrastrukture, Tregti the Industri” [Transcript from the public hearing of the Committee for Economic Development, Infrastructure, Trade and Industry], Kosovo Assembly, 13 May 2015, http://www.kuvendikosoves.org/common/docs/proc/trans__2015_05_13_13_5932_sr.pdf
[58] Vehbi Kajtazi, “Liria e garantuar por e cenuar” [Freedom, guaranteed yet jeopardized], Preportr, 26 May 2015, http://preportr.com/sq/I-News/Liria-e-garantuar-por-e-cenuar-410
[59] “The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, Article 123,” Kosovo Assembly, http://www.kuvendikosoves.org/common/docs/Constitution1%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20Kosovo.pdf
[60] “Performance of Municipalities 2013,” Ministry of Local Government Administration of the Republic of Kosovo, 2013, http://mapl.rks-gov.net/Raporte/2013.aspx; Author’s interview with Agron Demi, executive director of Gap Institute, September 2015.
[61] Department of Municipal Performance and Transparency, “Municipal Performance Report 2014,” Ministry of Local Government Administration of the Republic of Kosovo, January 2015, http://mapl.rks-gov.net/getattachment/cba33c5d-6b9a-479e-a61e-e7fd5eed58...
[62] Ibid.
[63] Federica Mogherini, “Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini following the meeting of the EU-facilitated dialogue,” European Union, 25 August 2015, http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2015/150825_02_en.htm
[64] “Agreement on Association/Community of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo – General Principles/Main Elements,” European Union External Action Service, 25 August 2015, http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/docs/facilitated-dialogue/150825_02_association-community-of-serb-majority-municipalities-in-kosovo-general-principles-main-elements_en.pdf
[65] Ibid.
[66] “Parkingjet publike nje problem i pazgjidhur i Prishtines” [Public parking, an unresolved problem in Pristina], Koha.net, 18 February 2015, http://koha.net/?id=8&l=45260
[67] Gap Institute, Komunat (Municipalities), an interactive online platform available at http://komunat.institutigap.org/
[68] Ibid; also, see author’s interview with Agron Demi, executive director of Gap Institute, September 2015.
[69] “Kuvendi voton Bekim Sejdiun per Gjykaten Kushtetuese” [The Assembly votes for Bekim Sejdiu in the Constitutional Court], Telegrafi, 26 March 2015, http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/kuvendi-voton-bekim-sejdiun-per-gjykaten-kushtetuese-2-60766.html
[70] “Arta Rama zgjedhet ne krye te Gjykates Kushtetuese” [Arta Rama elected as President of the Constitutional Court], Zeri.info, 21 May 2015, http://www.zeri.info/aktuale/33873/arta-rama-zgjedhet-ne-krye-te-gjykates-kushtetuese/
[71] For more details, see Nations in Transit 2015, https://freedomhouse.org/report/nations-transit/2015/kosovo
[72] “Te ndalet presioni ndaj deputeteve me rastin e zgjedhjes se gjykatesve ne Gjykaten Kushtetuese” [The pressure against MPs on the election of Constitutional Court judges should stop], Institute for Development Policy, 28 October 2015, http://www.indep.info/?id=5,0,0,1,e,266
[73] Paulina Nushi, “BIRN fiton rastin gjyqesor ndaj zyres se kryeministrit” [BIRN wins the court case against Prime Minister’s Office], Kallxo.com, 29 October 2015, http://live.kallxo.com/sq/MTL/BIRN-Fiton-Rastin-Gjyqesor-Ndaj-Zyres-se-Kryeministrit-9033
[74] Petrit Collaku, “Kosovo Parliament Votes for New War Crimes Court,” Balkan Insight, 3 August 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-parliament-new-war-crimes-court-vote-08-03-2015
[75] Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, “Inhuman treatment of people and illicit trafficking in human organs in Kosovo: Report,” Council of Europe, 12 December 2010, http://assembly.coe.int/CommitteeDocs/2010/20101218_ajdoc462010provamended.pdf
[76] Marija Ristic and Petrit Collaku, “Kosovo ‘Drenica Group’ Guerrillas Jailed for Wartime Crimes,” Balkan Insight, 27 May 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-drenica-group-guerrillas-jailed-for-wartime-crimes
[77] Marija Ristic, “The Troubled Trial of Kosovo’s ‘Drenica Group,’” Balkan Insight, 27 May 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-awaits-kla-guerilla-verdict
[78] Una Hajdari, “Kelemndi Pleads Not Guilty as Trial Opens in Pristina,” Balkan Insight, 16 January 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kelmendi-pleads-not-guilty-as-trial-opens-in-prishtina-1
[79] Fatos Bytyci, “Kosovo indicts 32 for fighting and recruiting for Islamic State,” Reuters, 7 May 2015, http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/05/07/uk-kosovo-islamic-state-idUKKBN0NS1YU20150507
[80] “Kosovo 2015 Report,” European Commission, 10 November 2015, http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2015/20151110_report_k...
[81] Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, “2015 Investment Climate Statement – Kosovo,” U.S. Department of State, May 2015, http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2015/241620.htm#13
[82] “Pritet arrestimi I zyrtareve te larte shteterore per korrupsion” [Arrests of high state officials for corruption are expected], Zeri.info, 31 August 2015, http://www.zeri.info/kronika/49017/pritet-arrestimi-i-zyrtareve-te-larte-shteteror-per-korrupsion/
[83] Betim Musliu, “Seeking a Way to Fight Corruption: Between Two Fires, Persecution and Failure,” Kosovo Law Institute, August 2015, http://kli-ks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1.-Action-Plan-Corruption-2015-Final-DIZAJN-1-1.docx
[84] Ibid.
[85] “Nje muaj arrest shtepiak per kryetarin e apelit Salih Mekaj” [One month of house arrest for the President of Appellate, Salih Mekaj], Koha.net, 24 July 2015, http://koha.net/?id=27&l=67676
[86] Selvije Bajrami, “Rruges per ne Austri, Badivuku arrestohet per ryshfet” [Badivuku arrested for bribery, on her way to Austria], Zeri.info, 23 August 2015, http://www.zeri.info/kronika/47756/rruges-per-ne-austri-badivuku-arrestohet-per-ryshfet/
[87] “270 faqe aktakuzë për 10 ish-inspektorët e ndërtimit në Komunën e Prishtinës” [270-page indictment for 10 former construction inspectors of Pristina], Klan Kosova, 11 September 2015, http://klankosova.tv/270-faqe-aktakuze-per-10-ish-inspektoret-e-ndertimit-ne-komunen-e-prishtines/
[88] “Shtate te arrestuar per krime ekonomike e korrupsion” [Seven arrested for economic crimes and corruption], Koha.net, 27 July 2015, http://koha.net/?id=3&l=67568
[89] “Corruption Scan – Knowledge, Opinions and Experiences of Citizens on Corruption in Kosovo,” Levizja Fol, 2015, http://levizjafol.org/folnew/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/CorruptionSCAN-Public-Opinion-Survey.pdf
[90] Ibid.
[91] “Binzeset cdo dite po perballen me korrupsion e ryshfet” [Businesses face corruption and bribery on daily basis], RTK, 12 April 2015, http://www.rtklive.com/?id=2&r=26905
Nations in Transit 2016 - Kazakhstan (Periodical Report, English)