EWMI NEWS:
MARCH 2009
ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ON SAFETY IN COMMUNITIES FINALIZED

For the past 6 months, the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) has been leading the effort to draft administrative instructions that would provide municipalities in Kosovo guidance on how to establish and reactivate the Municipal Councils on Safety in Communities (MCSC) and establish specific instructions regarding the role, structure and functioning of the MCSCs. On March 20, the official Administrative Instruction (AI) was signed in a joint meeting between the Kosovo Police, Ministry of Interior Affairs, Ministry of Local Government Administration and the Association of Kosovo Municipalities.

Mr. Zenun Pajaziti, the Minister of Interior Affairs indicated the importance of the establishment of MCSC for addressing human security issues at the community level. Minister Pajaziti reminded everyone of the tragic incident that happened in the municipality of Kamenica, where an 8 year old student lost his life after being attacked by stray dogs.  “This is why these consultative structures are very important” said Minister Pajaziti. “MCSCs will bring together the municipal officials, Kosovo Police and civil society to work together so that the services at the local level are improved to benefit safety of every citizen and to take measures that would prevent tragic incidents such as the one in Kamenica.”

Patricia Rader, Mission Director USAID/Kosovo thanked the East-West Management Institute for the technical assistance provided to the Kosovo Institutions in the process of drafting of the AI. Ms. Rader indicated that the establishment of the MCSCs represents another landmark in establishing the needed institutional infrastructure of ensuring functioning Rule of Law in Kosovo and another important step in implementation of Law on Police.

The Municipal Councils, which are comprised of local political leaders, law enforcement and civil society representatives, will enable citizens and elected officials to work together to improve life and security through more effective participation in municipal and central government decision-making processes. EWMI continues to support the establishment of the MCSCs and is awarding seven grants totaling $40,000 to local NGOs working to strengthen the municipal councils throughout Kosovo.

The meeting was attended by 16 mayors of the biggest Kosovo municipalities, all the newly appointed heads of the Kosovo Police and the Director General of Kosovo Police

The event was covered by all the national broadcast and print media