Archives for November 2020

STATEMENT BY KADRI VESELI

November 5, 2020 by dgreca

PRISTINA: 5 November 2020 10:30 am- Yesterday afternoon, I was informed by the Office of the Specialist Prosecutor that the pretrial judge of the Specialist Chambers has authorised an Indictment to be issued against me. I am issuing this statement to inform the public that I have made arrangements to travel voluntarily to The Hague in order to answer to these charges. I will not be commenting further at this time.

I know that some people in Kosovo view the Specialist Chambers as an insult to our historic fight to protect the people of Kosovo from the ravages of the Milosevic regime. But I do not see it that way. I welcome the opportunity to finally answer the false allegations and rumours that have been circulating for many years. Ever since Dick Marty published his flawed report, it was inevitable that this day would come. It was inevitable that the unjust accusations he made would have to be tested in a court of law, so that they can finally be put to rest. That is why I supported the establishment of this tribunal, and it is why I am now ready to play my part in that process.

More than twenty years have passed since the end of our war of liberation. Kosovo is now an independent State, and is well on its way towards admission to the United Nations. Since weaspire to be treated as an equal partner with other States, our political leaders must rise to that challenge, and behave as international Statesmen. When individual leaders are called upon to co-operate with an international tribunal, we must do so without hesitation. And if charges are made against us, they must be answered in the proper way, with evidence of the truth.

I have every confidence in the objectivity and fairness of the judges, and I would ask that everyone in Kosovo should show due respect to their judicial authority at all times. The process is there to get at the truth. We have nothing to fear from the truth. There must be no attempts whatsoever to undermine the work of the tribunal, or to obstruct or interfere in any way with due process. It must be allowed to get on with the important task we have entrusted to it. The integrity of the process must be respected at all times and by everyone. Justice does not just serve the interests of one side or the other. It serves the interests of the people. So, if you are asked to assist the Specialist Chambers, please do so without hesitating. That way, we will all get at the truth. I would therefore ask that all sections of our society respond to this situation calmly and with dignity, confident in the knowledge that the judges will deliver a just result at the end of the process.

Please remember at all times that this tribunal was set up by the Kosovo Parliament, acting on behalf of the people. It is the embodiment of the principle that there is no peace without justice and no justice without peace. Although it sits in The Hague, it is part of our own law.

There should be no resentment directed towards the internationals who work at the tribunal.

They are only doing what we, the people of Kosovo, have asked them to do. This tribunal is part of Kosovo’s journey to Statehood, and we must see it through to the end.

***

PRISTINA: 5 November 2020 10:30 am

STATEMENT BY KADRI VESELI

I would like to thank the Specialist Chambers for extending me the courtesy of an invitation to attend Court, rather than arresting me in an undignified way. I have responded to that courtesy by agreeing arrangements to travel this morning with representatives of the tribunal to The Hague, where I will formally appear in court to answer these charges, and to begin the long process of defending the case. This will require my full engagement and concentration, and I have therefore decided to step back from all public political activity for the duration of the process. I will not be making further public statements or official appearances in Kosovo whilst these proceedings are ongoing. For now, at least, I am a private citizen. Until the end of these proceedings, I would ask that this position is respected by everyone in Kosovo, particularly those involved in the media and or in public political life.

Personal sacrifices must sometimes be made for the greater good of the nation. Many of our people have already sacrificed a great deal. Far too many have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The process that is beginning before the Specialist Chambers is the final step on our historic journey towards full Statehood. It should be welcomed as an opportunity to establish that we fought a just war against overwhelming odds, and that we did so honourably.

If mistakes were made, then of course individuals should be held accountable for their actions. That is what the rule of law means to a new nation like ours. But I am quite confident that when the judges have heard all the evidence, they will conclude beyond reasonable doubt that the Kosovo Liberation Army was a people’s movement, an uprising in self-defence, with brave men and women doing their honest best, in almost impossible circumstances, without formal structures, to protect the civilian population against a carefully planned and genocidal military onslaught by Serbian forces. Today, in honour of the memory of the 10,000 or more innocent victims of the Milosevic regime, we must stand up and tell our story. I must stand up and tell my story. We must tell their story. We must set the record straight, so that history may know the truth.

ENDS

BOTOHET KOMPLETI I VEPRAVE TË ANTON ÇETTËS

November 4, 2020 by dgreca

PRISHTINË, Nëntor 2020- Gazeta DIELLI/Ministria e Kulturës, Rinisë dhe Sportit e Kosovës dërgoi me 3 nentor këtë komunikatë:

Botohet kompleti i veprave të Anton Çettës në 25-vjetorin e tij të vdekjes/

Sot bëhen 25 vjet që prej kur është ndarë nga jeta atdhetari, patrioti, mbledhësi i folklorit e shkrimtari ynë i madh, Anton Çetta. Për nder të figurës së tij, me propozim të Ministres së Kulturës, Rinisë dhe Sportit, Vlora Dumoshi, Qeveria e Kosovës, ka marrë vendim që muaji nëntor të jetë muaji i Anton Çettës.

Në kuadër të këtij muaji janë planifikuar që të organizohen një sërë aktivitetesh në nderim dhe kujtim të kësaj figure të ndritshme të Kosovës, por për shkaqe pandemie shumë nga organizimet do të mbahen në mënyrë online ose me sa më pak njerëz të grumbulluar për të respektuar rekomandimet e institucioneve shëndetësore.

Aktivitetet kanë nisur nga sot me botimin e kompletit të veprave të Anton Çettës, të cilat i prezantoi Ministrja e Kulturës, Rinisë dhe Sportit, Vlora Dumoshi, në një takim me Ministren e Financave, Hykmete Bajrami. Ndonëse sot parashihet që të bëhej edhe promovimi i kompletit të veprave, mirëpo për shkak të rrethanave me Covid-19, organizimi një promovimi të tillë ishte i pamundur.

Kompleti i veprave të Çettës përmban 13 vëllime, duke përfshirë krijimet për fëmijë, përmbledhjen e folklorit në 5 vëllime, kërkimet folklorike, balada dhe legjenda, këngë kreshnike, varia, të tjerët për veprën e Anton Çettës janë përmbledhur në një vëllim, Anton Çetta dhe aksioni i pajtimit të gjaqeve dhe vëllimi i fundit Intevista dhe letërkëmbime. Botimi i kompletit është mbështetur nga MKRS-ja dhe Qeveria e Kosovës.

Ministrja Dumoshi me këtë rast tha se e falënderon Ministren Hykmete Bajrami për mbështetjen që i ka dhënë këtij botimi, përmes Ministrisë së Arsimit, si ish ministre e Arsimit.

Ministret Dumoshi e Bajrami e vlerësuan lart figurën e Çettës dhe u shprehën se përmes këtyre aktiviteteve Qeveria e Kosovës e nderon dhe e çmon figurën e tij.

Në përvjetorin e Anton Çettës, ministret Dumoshi e Bajrami qëndruar për homazhe tek varri i tij, në Prizren, së bashku profesor Rizah Krasniqin, si rikujtim dhe përulje për angazhimin dhe kontributin e tij të jashtëzakonshëm për pajtimin e mijëra familjeve të hasmuara dhe në çrrënjosjen e dukurisë së keqe të gjakmarrjes.

“Aksioni për Pajtimin e Gjaqeve bëri që viti 1990 të futej në histori si viti kur kjo plagë do të zhdukej rrënjësisht. Si institucione të shtetit të Kosovës e kemi për obligim dhe detyrim që historinë e Kosovës ta kujtojmë dhe nderojmë brenda të gjithë mekanizmave institucionalë që posedojmë”, tha ministrja Dumoshi.

FRUTET E SHTETIT

November 4, 2020 by dgreca

Nga Astrit LULUSHI- A është Shqipëria demokraci ose përmirësimi i fundit i mundshëm në qeverisje? A nuk është e mundur të bëjë një hap më tej drejt njohjes dhe organizimit të të drejtave të shtetasve?
Nuk do të ketë kurrë një shtet me të vërtetë të lirë nëse individi nuk njihet si një fuqi më e lartë dhe e pavarur, nga e cila rrjedh e gjithë fuqia dhe autoriteti e vet, dhe qeveria ta trajtojë në përputhje me rrethanat.
Vëzhguesi e kënaq veten duke imagjinuar një shtet të paktën që mund të jetë i drejtë për të gjithë njerëzit, jashtë e brenda, të rinj e të vjetër, dhe individin t’a trajtojë me respekt, jo si pronë, as si të pasur a të varfër, as nën komandë, por si një fqinj, i cili nuk do të mendonte se ishte në kundërshtim me prehjen e tij nëse disa do të jetonin larg, duke mos u përzier me të, ose të përqafuar prej tij, të cilët përmbushnin të gjitha detyrat e fqinjëve. Një shtet i cili jep këtë lloj fruti dhe e lejon atë të bjerë sapo të piqet, do të përgatiste rrugën për një Shtet akoma më të mirë, të cilin gjithashtu vëshguesi e ka imagjinuar, por ende nuk e ka parë.

TURPI & TRADITA

November 4, 2020 by dgreca

Building a Cohesive Community through Healthy Relationships-

By @Albanian-American Cohesion Community-

Our Albanian culture is so rich and unique. We love being Shqiptar/e (Albanian) in the United States of America. Far away from homeland, (kaluar oqeanit) we see the waiving proud Albanian flag, hear people speak Albanian in local stores and see students in Colleges wearing Albanian Eagle shirts while studying and leading! Just like any other culture and immigrant group we have faced many obstacles, challenges and struggles. We are resilient, we are compassionate and more importantly we are united for the common good.

We care that our very own are experiencing domestic violence, mental illness, drug addiction and/or shamed by the very traditions that we uphold. We honor our sisters and brothers who have lost the battle with this silent killer and many others who have suffered in silence and still do.

We hold a deep admiration for the brave and trailblazers of our community including our ancestors, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends and activists of our community who embrace our differences and have supported us through difficult times. We respect all of you who have let us grow free and supported us all the way despite the fact that we have been shamed for fighting mental illness, being LGBTQ, marrying outside of our race/ethnicity, fighting our struggles with drug/alcohol addiction, divorced or other. We are very proud of us building a community that reflects today’s Albanian-American generational successes, struggles and values. “Turpi and Tradita” (shame and traditions), impact us all in ways that we as a cohesive community are trying to highlight.

The birth of this movement, @Albanian-American Cohesion, began in September 2020 when many of the Albanian-American activists, advocates, academics, practitioners, organizations, victims and survivors despite COVID-19 and US election turmoil came together to promote belonging with a common vision of appreciating and valuing our culture, while always challenging ourselves to be better because we love, respect and value our community.

On, Tuesday, October 20^th, 2020, the Albanian-American Cohesive Community partnered with Albanian Student Leadership Association (ASLA) at John Jay College of Criminal Justice led by social-justice fierce students Antoneta Pepkolaj, Uendi Muhameti, Arjola Ferhati and Gabriela Pllumbaj together with Albanian-American Women’s Organization Motrat Qiriazi in New York to honor Domestic Violence Month and give our victims and survivors a platform to share their stories and evaluate the services available to our community. Panelists included Ariana Metalia, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Drita Popovic, Lifestyle and Wellness Coach and Mental Health Advocate, Suada Cecunaj, Domestic Violence Advocate. A special greeting was provided by Beti Beno Tsamblakos Esq., President of Albanian-American Women’s Organization Motrat Qiriazi.

The topic of domestic violence in the Albanian-American community is a taboo despite the fact that we anecdotally know that our daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, neighbors and friends are suffering in silence. Prof. Anila Duro, Adjunct Professor and Doctoral Candidate, strongly believes that it is our collective responsibility to speak up and do something—silence is complicit and harmful to our lives. One-way academics such as Prof. Duro and Ariana Elezaj, Master of Public Policy and Administration graduate student at John Jay College believe that we can tackle social and mental health issues is through rigorous academic research. Prof. Duro together with John Jay Students and members of the Albanian-American Cohesion working group and other community partners have launched the first scientific study to measure the prevalence of domestic violence with a mission to build healthy, respectful and cohesive relationships in our community. This project has sparked the interest of a large group of Albanian-American Women advocates from East to West coast. The Albanian-American Cohesive Community is taking an important role in the design of the study as researchers are embodying participatory action research methods. Our goal is to empower our community, to create a safe space by telling our stories in a confidential and anonymous way where the findings lead to awareness, education, resources, and interventions. We are measuring for all types of unhealthy personal relationships including the invisible types such as emotional, verbal, financial, and social.

The benefits of this community work are many:

Healing
Not feeling alone
Empowerment
Inclusion
Helping others
Help younger women see the signs/prevention
Identify victim blaming—not your fault
Know the exact areas where we can intervene by educating our community

Clinicians such as Ariana Metalia, LMHC stressed the importance of caring for our mental wellbeing in tandem with our physical health. She stated our community needs further education about the overlapping relationship between our mental and physical health. In discussing these topics openly with the proper information, we can normalize mental illness as a general health concern the same way we view any other disease or illness. Her hope is that Albanians can feel comfortable reaching out for help when they are experiencing mental health concerns, and furthermore that we can get to a place where therapy and psychiatric treatment can be utilized as preventative tools for support, not just when a crisis arises or when an issue becomes unmanageable for the family. She also highlighted trauma informed care as a movement that every healthcare professional and the general public should become aware of. It is well known that Albanians have a long history of traumatic experiences as a result of their fight for self-determination from occupying forces. She stated that these wars have lasting effects in both the minds and bodies of the people in our homeland and the diaspora. We need to acknowledge that trauma is tied so deeply in our history and understand how this can affect our health across lifetimes. At present, Ariana Metalia, works for Northwell Health and runs a private practice doing weekly individual therapy with teens to help manage anxiety and depression. She has confidence in the Albanian community’s ability to come together and believes that in sharing the correct information and starting these discussions in a constructive manner, we can reach so many of our families to inspire change, by tapping into the strong, helpful, caring unity that we Albanians are known for.

Advocates of our community, Bedrie Tale, Board Member of Our Voice (Zëri Ynë) and an active member of Shoqni-Albanian American Women’s Club emphasized that breaking the stigma of “marre” is key to feeling healthy and the importance of communication and raising awareness so our children can grow up healthy mentally and physically.

Suada Cecunaj, Domestic Violence Advocate and Financial Analyst, explores the need to reevaluate this idea of turp (shame) and the proper word we should be using is guilt (faj). Shame is I AM BAD, guilt is I did something bad. No one is biologically bad. It is our actions and bad choices that cause us to feel guilty. We can recover from bad choices in a healthy manner if we remove shaming. Guilt is beneficial, we can learn from our mistakes and grow as people. There are no benefits to shame other than belittling, excluding, and dehumanizing one’s self. After all we are all human and we are all prone to mistakes.

Drita Popovic, Lifestyle & Wellness Coach and Mental Health Advocate, fearlessly addressed wellness, physical and psychological health and put the emphasis on the importance of women taking care of themselves. Topics like wellness and self-care are not openly discussed within our community. This could be due to the stigma of mental illness or lack of cultural knowledge on the importance of self-care and mental health. Such topics have been silenced for far too long and people should and must start having open discussions. Many refer to self-care as selfish behavior, but others should not be allowed to dictate the life you live. Physical and psychological help are connected and are equally important. When facing an overwhelming emotional experience, many people feel lost, isolated and alone. Therapy and coaching are not a magic pill, it takes commitment and dedication, it is a way to relieve that sense of aloneness and form a trusting relationship with someone who accepts you as you are. Each individual is complex and requires a personalized approach. Regardless of the problems a person might be facing, professionals are active participants who offer empathy, authenticity, expert insight, and focus on your wellbeing. Regardless of the issues you are facing today you can get help and support, feel empowered to grow and thrive towards self-fulfillment.

With every act of self-care your authentic self gets stronger, and the critical, fearful mind gets weaker. Every act of self-care is a powerful declaration: I am enough, enough is enough.

Advocate and Activist like Suada Cecunaj always uplift us by reminding us that we have a beautiful culture, but we must change the mentality discussing issues that impact us on a daily basis. Our primarily goals are to empower survivors of gender based violence so this does not happen to anyone else, educating our community that there is help out there, ensuring that we are in this together and continue to address this idea of “marre—shame” that you should have not let this happen to you.

Prof. Duro who is also the Faculty Advisor of ASLA is a firm believer that “knowledge is power” and that is why students, activists and practitioners need to conduct more research to highlight our experiences, generate theory that is so deeply rooted in our culture and provide evidence-based interventions.

Beti Beno Tsamblakos Esq., President of AAWO Motrat Qiriazi, Ariana Elezaj, Secretary of AAWO Motrat Qiriazi, and its Board of directors are very enthusiastic and supportive about this initiative. In her remarks, Ms. Beno underscored the organization’s commitment to be here to spread awareness and break the silence. We want our community to know and understand what is happening in silence so that does not ever happen again to our sisters, mothers and daughters. The victims of domestic violence not only endure physical and psychological sufferings but continue to suffer the long-term effects and stigma to this very day. We want to bring dignity and acceptance to the survivors of domestic violence as they integrate into society but foremost we call upon and empower younger generations, like the Albanian Students at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, to have their voice in society as they strive for equity in family life and their workplace. Let this be the beginning of a long-term partnership and let us start the healing process together and be their voice.

In the powerful words of Drita Popovic, change comes through teamwork and inclusion. We are strong alone, but powerful together and through open discussions change is possible. Let’s brake stigmas and stop allowing others to dictate what topics we speak about and how we live our lives. “Time to make change not just speak about the importance of change” @Albanian-American Cohesion. For questions or collaboration inquires please feel free to contact

aacohesivecommunity@gmail.com.

Shqiptarët heronj e ata terroristë…!

November 4, 2020 by dgreca

– Atetantori shqiptar, viktima shqiptar…!

– Dhe ta mendosh, që shqiptari nga emigrant ekonomik kthehet në një xhihadist rruge, është me plot gojën vraje veten. Tjetri del të pijë një cigare, ti e vret në emër të Allahut. Tjetra zbret nga urbani, ti e vret në emër të Zotit…./

Nga Ilir Levonja-Dielli-

Pak para se të ndodhte akti terrorist i Vjenës, shqiptarët mbushën faqe të tëra me një mjek të suksesshëm në Amerikë. Dhe me të drejtë. Modeli i mirë gjithmonë duhet ndjekur. Për kë nuk e kanë bërë? Zgjidhet një shqiptare në parlamentin europian, megjithëse me shtetësi suedeze, rrahën gjoksin. Dalin dy këngëtare në Angli, rrahin gjoksin, menderen, çirren nga fyti. Por rrudhen si dreqi sapo ndodh e kundërta. Me të ndodhur akti i Vjenës, kanë filluar të fshehin sytë, fytyrën, duart etj. Madje po justifikohen. Përse? Sepse atentatori ishte me origjinë nga trojet shqiptare. Diku nga periferia e Tetovës, sot në juridiksionin e shtetit të Maqedonisë së Veriut. Sikur ai që bëri gjëmën të mos ishte me origjinë shqiptare, do kishim mbushur faqet me solidaritetin tonë fallco, si ngahera e për t’u dukur, se solidarizohemi me Austrinë. Por na ka rënë kokës. Atetantori shqiptar, viktima shqiptar. Dhe ta mendosh, që shqiptari nga emigrant ekonomik kthehet në një xhihadist rruge, është me plot gojën vraje veten. Tjetri del të pijë një cigare, ti e vret në emër të Allahut. Tjetra zbret nga urbani, ti e vret në emër të Zotit. Dhe pikërisht për ironi të fatit të mbrapshtë të sojit nga vjen, vret një kalimtar që rezulton gjaku i yt. Ajo çfarë është e trishtueshme me ne, është loja me besimin. Jemi kaq o burra, kaq zhurmëtar sa e kemi kthyer besimin në një sfidë sociale. Dhe jo rastësisht në Shqipëri më shumë ka minare a objekte kulti se sa fabrika e kantiere. Por çfarë vret më shumë është edukata fetare që vjen nga vendet e lindjes. Dhe a e dini përse, se andej vijnë edhe paratë. Vendi ynë nuk investon në buxhetin e besimeve, për rrjedhoj nuk i kontrollon dot. Madje as nuk ka ndonjë informacion. Madje ua lejon futjen e parave qofshin këto edhe të nxira. Vetëm në shtetin e Ahmet Zogut buxheti i besimeve buronte nga taksat dhe kontrollohej. Sot në shtetin e kuadrove të nomeklaturës as që bëhet fjalë. Në fund të fundit kishën e Nolit internacionalistët e vet e lanë në mërgim. Kështu edhe me xhamitë. Besimi plot urtësi i gjyshërve patriotë, u zëvendësua me militantë të xhihadit. Një masë e gjerë që nga njëra anë predikon islamizmin, nga ana tjetër ndihet e persekutuar. Kudo ku dalin flasin për një përvuajtje a paragjykim, pavarsisht se shkaqet mund të jenë edhe naive. Dhe ajo që është më e trishtueshmja, është imponimi. Mund të mos ta kesh fare mëndjen tek besimi, qoftë i tyre apo i ndonjë tjetri, ata të imponohen. Ndërkohë të shfaqin pakënaqësi pa fund me paragjykimin social. Aq sa sot tema të tilla janë gati eksplozive për një debat të hapur. Madje një besimtar mylsiman është kthyer në një internacionalist duke mohuar thelbësoren, kombësinë e vet. Sot myslimanët e Shqipërisë janë sa turq, sa arabë, sa sirianë, sa egjiptianë etj., po shqiptarë asesi. Dhe jo vetëm ata, por gjithë e kudo në trojetet e tyre. Nuk e kanë për gjë të luftojnë për ISIS-in, ashtu sikur nuk e kanë për gjë t’i kthejnë kurrizin Shqipërisë në një rast agresioni. Ndaj është e dhimbshme të zbulosh në kampet e Sirisë plot muxhaedinë internacionalistë nga trojet shqiptare. Por ne kurrë nuk e pranuam përse-në, nuk pyetëm përse arritëm deri këtu? Ashtu sikur ishte e tmerrshme ngujimi në mes të Tiranës i një familje që nuk besonte në institucionet e vendit dhe në dritën e diellit. Megjithatë trumbetuam plot pasion propogandën e një qeveritari dështak nga maja e avionit. Kësisoj mos të na vij turp që është shqiptar ky Kujtimi se, më për kokës do dëgjojmë. Jemi tashmë një problem universal.