Koci criticizes Osman’s call to avoid crossing Serbia: The state is not built on fear

Koci criticizes Osman’s call to avoid crossing Serbia: A state is not built on fear

Lawyer Arianit Koci has reacted to President Vjosa Osmani’s call for Kosovo citizens to avoid crossing the territory of Serbia, following repeated cases of arbitrary arrests by Serbian authorities.

Koci says that the concern is reasonable and the risk is real, but such warnings are not enough if they are not accompanied by concrete measures from the state.

“But a state is not built on a climate of fear. Nor on messages that, unintentionally, produce a sense of surrender. When you say ‘don’t go,’ then you must also show ‘how we will protect you’ and ‘what solutions we are offering,'” he wrote.

According to Koci, such a truncated approach only creates uncertainty and requires the state to act with a clear plan. He lists several steps that he believes should be taken immediately:

– to provide safe and affordable alternative routes for the diaspora;

– guarantee immediate consular protection for any citizen who encounters Serbian authorities;

– to coordinate closely with friendly countries to monitor detention cases;

– to impose reciprocal, balanced measures, in accordance with international law;

– to exert continuous diplomatic pressure for these practices to end.

“This is how a serious state acts: calmly, with plans, with responsibility. Without retreating, without fear, without bending,” he emphasizes.

In the end, Koci emphasizes that Kosovo has moved forward by opening paths and opportunities, not by closing them.

“Patriotism is not about scaring people. Patriotism is about protecting them,” he concludes.