PRISHTINA, 12.05.2021 – The Association of Journalists of Kosovo – AJK, has accepted with concern the complaint of our colleagues, Dush Gashi and Ali Cenaj, on the delay of their case, from the Court of Appeals regarding their dismissal from the Newspaper “Zëri” at the end of 2014 year, after 14 years of their working experience.
Colleagues have filed their lawsuits to the Basic Court in Prishtina on 8 January 2015, where the same institution has approved to the journalist Gashi all counts of his lawsuit: Return to work and compensation of entire salaries, in the meantime the lawsuit of journalist Cenaj was partially approved, ie only on the salary compensation, but not on his request to return to the work. However, after the appeal submitted by the other Party in this case, Gazeta Zëri, on 13 February 2016, the present case continues to remain in the Court of Appeals.
In relation to this case, AJK has submitted questions to the Court of Appeals, but as of the time of publication of the present reaction has been not received any response.
For AJK is unbearable and absurd delay in reviewing of this case which has already been carried out for more than six (6) years since its submission. Delay of these cases is not justified by anything and worsens the climate of journalism in Kosovo, also due to the delays and non-imposition of meritorious sentences, journalists are reluctant to present their cases to the competent authorities.
The Association of Journalists of Kosovo calls upon on relevant authorities to take the necessary steps as soon as possible in reviewing the cases of colleagues Dush Gashi and Ali Cenaj, as well all other cases of our colleagues who have been threatened and attacked.
