Freedom House: Parliament Should Act to Protect Freedom of Expression in Kosovo

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Freedom House urged the Parliament of Kosovo, in a press statement on June 15, 2012, to implement international norms and recommendations regarding freedom of speech and press, while it is discussing two articles of the criminal code that deal with criminal responsibility and reporting of information resources.

The Feedom House noted that Article 37 of the Criminal Code that provides for prosecution of editors, journalists and owners for unspecified violations of the media legislation, poses a dangerous threat to freedom of expression and could lead to a self-censorship in wider range.

“This article should be eliminated entirely in accordance with Article 19 of the International Convention of United Nations for Civil and Political Rights and in accordance with Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right of freedom of expression without interference by public authorities”, Freedom House says.

Article 38 provides cases when journalists are forced by law to reveal sources of information. Freedom House expressed agreement with the recommendations of civil society and media monitoring organizations in Kosovo that the article contains general terms in its current form and must be reviewed, instead of eliminated, in accordance with the "Recommendation 1950" Council of Europe, to limit the required disclosures of resources "in cases of emergency, when the vital interests of the public or individuals are at risk and this should be with convincing arguments."

Kosovo is categorized as a partly free country in Freedom House report on freedom of expression and press freedom throughout the world in 2012. (Source: Voice of America – Albanian Edition)