The only Presheva Valley Albanian representative in the Parliament of Serbia, Riza Halimi, has stated that the Government of Serbia “continues to follow its old habits by persecuting and discriminating ethnic Albanians in the Presheva Valley,” in Southern Serbia.

 

In an interview given to news agency INA, Halimi demanded that ethnic Albanians in Presheva Valley have equal rights to those enjoyed by Serb minority that lives in the Republic of Kosovo.

"As the minority rights are guaranteed by the Ahtisaari plan, particularly to Serb minority in Kosovo, we also demand to have the same rights for us ethnic Albanians in the Presheva Valley, in context of Serbia government structures and this is a genuine demand, a legitimate aspiration," said Halimi.

Halimi emphasized that the achievement of basic human rights for the ethnic Albanians in the Presheva Valley should be pursued through democratic efforts and through unification of the Albanian political factor, however, he does not exclude other more radical political means, perhaps even massive demonstrations.

Riza Halimi said that "the decision of Serbia government to not recognize the diplomas of the University of Prishtina and the closing of Presheva TV station have been carefully planned and orchestrated by Belgrade to foment violence in Presheva Valley, then using it as a pretext to commit ethnic cleansing against ethnic Albanians.”

"There is a high chance that these decisions are part of the operating plan created by Serbia government before the declaration of Kosovo independence,” said Halimi, stressing that Serbia does not respect any human rights conventions regarding minorities.

He reiterated the determination of all Valley Albanians to demand equal rights in the Municipality of Presheva, explaining that they will appeal to international community to intervene to resolve this sensitive issue.