Washington, D.C. - The Institute on Religion and Public Policy denounces the latest attack on the Visoki Decani Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Kosovo, as yet another roadblock to peaceful coexistence of minorities in the region.
Reports indicate a single mortar-grenade was launched into the Monastery the morning of March 30. The attack is the fourth of its kind on the Monastery since the deployment of NATO Peacekeepers in 1999.
“This horrible act highlights that the present record of rule of law, protection of the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, and the return and resettlement of internally displaced persons by the Provisional Authority of Kosovo - all of which are indispensable for democratic governance - have been gravely unsatisfactory in the last seven years,” Institute President, Joseph K. Grieboski said.
The Visoki Decani Monastery is situated in the western part of the UN administered Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohia. Named in 2004 as a World Heritage Site, it is a valuable record of 14th century life and holds great religious significance in the Serbian Orthodox Church.
The bombing takes place as the United Nations is considering the Ahtisaari proposal which seeks pseudo-independence for Kosovo despite the absence of a negotiated agreement. “The need to examine the record of political and social developments in the province to determine the level of preparation of Kosovo for either autonomy or independence is urgent. This incident is clear evidence that the Ahtisaari proposal is misguided,” Grieboski concluded.
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