[Arb]

Proud that Kosovo has since developed functional, multi-ethnic institutions of democracy that express freely the will of our citizens,

“institutions of democracy” again does not show in any way that this refers to a sovereign independent state. This point also reduces the will of the people to the non-sovereign and corrupt local institutions in Kosova. The first time any word close to “free” is mentioned, “freely” merely refers to the freedom of expression of Kosova’s institutions, not their rights or freedoms to take action as an independent state.

Recalling the years of internationally-sponsored negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina over the question of our future political status,

“our future status” makes it clear that our status is not final, and that we are going from transition to transition.

Regretting that no mutually-acceptable status outcome was possible, in spite of the good-faith engagement of our leaders,

Saying that no negotiated solution was possible is nothing more than avoiding blaming Serbia’s obstructionism for the breakdown of talks.

Confirming that the recommendations of UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari provide Kosovo with a comprehensive framework for its future development and are in line with the highest European standards of human rights and good governance,

Ahtisaari does not provide a framework for “development”, but will in fact block development, and even deprive us of the possibilities for development by perpetuating the paradigm of stability the international community in Kosova is operating within. The plan will also separate people institutionally and territorially on an ethnic basis. The Ahtisaari plan has nothing to do with “human rights”, but demands ethnically based strong decentralisation before sovereignty, without dismantling Serbia’s parallel structures in Kosova. This will not protect human rights, but can lead to new violations. Also, if the Ahtisaari plan represents the “highest European standards” for good governance, how come no other European country has implemented it?

Determined to see our status resolved in order to give our people clarity about their future, move beyond the conflicts of the past and realise the full democratic potential of our society,

Kosova does not lack status, but our people lack freedom. This declaration will not give us freedom. In fact, it does not even represent a change in status, as we will continue to be ruled over by an anti-democratic and unaccountable international mission. About “clarity” – this declaration does not bring clarity, but entails a number of serious contradictions and ambiguities. Besides, clarity is not the point: we need freedom and dignity. In order to achieve that, the people should decide on changing of Kosova’s status through a referendum on independence. The call to “move beyond the conflicts of the past” is again a call to erase history. It is impossible to talk about “democratic potential” when we are being deprived of democracy by the people that rule over us.

Honouring all the men and women who made great sacrifices to build a better future for Kosovo,

The last point is so vague that it could refer to some people being injured while working on a construction site. Again, the vague formulation is chosen in order to erase the past and not blame Serbia for our historical tragedies.

Numbered points 1. We, the democratically-elected leaders of our people, hereby declare Kosovo to be an independent and sovereign state. This declaration reflects the will of our people and it is in full accordance with the recommendations of UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari and his Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement.

1. This point is seriously self-contradictory. Being an independent sovereign state is completely incompatible with the Ahtisaari plan and his recommendations. He does not suggest sovereignty, but an extremely supervised independence. Either the MPs do not understand what “sovreignty” means, or they want to fool us. The so-called democratically elected leaders of Kosova are neither democratically elected nor leaders. Less than 50% of the population voted at all, in an externally imposed framework and process from above having nothing to do with democracy. This declaration cannot reflect the “will of our people” when we are deprived of the right to hold a referendum.

2. We declare Kosovo to be a democratic, secular and multi-ethnic republic, guided by the principles of non-discrimination and equal protection under the law. We shall protect and promote the rights of all communities in Kosovo and create the conditions necessary for their effective participation in political and decision-making processes.

2. This declaration will not provide people equal protection under the law, but will establish an international office to rule over us, with officials completely unaccountable and immune to the laws they impose on us. This point talks about “communities”, not citizens, and confirms the international community’s ethnic fixation regarding Kosova.

3. We accept fully the obligations for Kosovo contained in the Ahtisaari Plan, and welcome the framework it proposes to guide Kosovo in the years ahead. We shall implement in full those obligations including through priority adoption of the legislation included in its Annex XII, particularly those that protect and promote the rights of communities and their members.

3. Again it mentions “communities” instead of citizens, and obligations instead of rights.

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