Kosovo: Threats against members of the Organisation for Democracy, Anticorruption and Dignity ÇOHU (Rise Up)

Dear Prime Minister,

I am deeply concerned following reports of threats directed against human rights defenders and members of the Organisation for Democracy, Anticorruption and Dignity (ÇOHU/Rise Up). This group is a member of the coalition of civil society movements and NGOs which currently participate in the 'Civil Society for a Clean Parliament' initiative. This project aims to research the background of candidates in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, which will take place this November 17.

Reports have been produced by the initiative on each candidate concerning; allegations of corruption, involvement in organised crime, ethical breaches and nepotism. This is reportedly not the first time this information has been made public, however it does represent one of the first efforts to compile an overview of candidates' suitability for office. It is these reports which are thought to be the reason behind the threats that have been made towards members of the organisation.

The preliminary candidate reports were submitted to political parties at their respective headquarters on 5 October 2007. Following the submission, the ÇOHU office reportedly received many phone-calls requesting further information or clarification but there were also several which could be classified as intimidatory or threatening. Around the date of submission of the final report on 16 October 2007, three phone calls in particular – on the 14, 16 and 17 October, 2007 – allegedly contained explicit threats which warned against making the information contained in the report available to the media and threatened that if made public, there would be repercussions.

ÇOHU believes these threats to come directly from some of the candidates who the report claimed were unsuitable for political office. The organisation has also received information that the phone line of its executive director is being tapped.

I believe that the threats against the members of the Organisation for Democracy, Anticorruption and Dignity (ÇOHU/Rise Up) are directly related to the human rights activities of the organisation and could form part of an ongoing campaign against democratic activists and human rights defenders in Kosovo.

I urge the authorities in Kosovo to:

1. Initiate an immediate and thorough investigation into the intimidation of ÇOHU, as it is believed they are being threatened solely on the basis of their legitimate non-violent human rights work;

2.Use your influence to ensure that there will be no threats or intimidation against members of ÇOHU and the coalition of civil society movements and NGOs;

3.Ensure that all human rights defenders in Kosovo are free to carry out their legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights, without fear of intimidation or reprisal.

Yours sincerely