AJK concerned about the behavior and actions of the police towards journalist Tatjana Lazarevic
PRISTINA, 12.04.2020 - Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has accepted with concern the news that, journalist Tatjana Lazarevic from the “Kossev” portal in the north of Mitrovica, during her official duty, was detained and escorted to the Police Station.
This happened despite the fact that traffic bans do not apply to journalists and they are free to perform their work at any time, according the decision of Kosovo Government. The case is confirmed by the journalist, namely the editor of this portal, Tatjana Lazarevic. She explained that she went on the ground for a story at the Health Center in Zvecan. Although she testified her ID to the police, as required by the instructions of the Kosovo government, the journalist was sent to the station, under the pretext that in North Mitrovica and Zvecan, movement is prohibited after 12:00.
After the interview, Lazarevic was released.
Two days earlier, Lazarevic was prevented from doing her job by the members of so-called crisis headquarters in Northern Mitrovica, due to a live broadcast of a conference related the pandemic COVID - 19.
“This is another in a series of pressures on journalists of our portal and an attempt to prevent the execution of journalistic assignments. Despite persistently showing the Kosovo police my press ID, mentioning the decision of the Kosovo government and the announcement that a journalist is obliged to show a press ID, which has happened to me several times before, this did not help me to avoid detainment", said Lazarevic.
Stopping and obstructing journalists while they are on duty is a pressure, not only on their work but also on freedom of expression. This is also contrary to the Constitution and Kosovo laws, as well as international conventions on human rights.
AJK recalls that journalists and accompanying teams can continue their activities on a regular basis, in accordance with the orders that are already in force. Journalists, cameramen, photojournalists and media workers have to carry their ID-s all the time, to prove their professional commitment.
At the same time, AJK asks the competent authorities to clarify immediately the reasons for this illegal stop and at the same time to end the pressure on the journalists of “Kossev” portal.
