1 September 2014

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South East Europe, is concerned to learn about the threats made to Visar Duriqi, a Kosovo journalist

Link: SEEMO

Duriqi covers in his stories religious extremism, referring to how Muslims are sent from Kosovo to Syria. This caused an outrage in the radical Muslim community, and Duriqi was accused of apostasy by the Muslim Youth Forum in August 2014.

The communiqué this network posted caused a wave of hate speech and death threats towards the journalist. According to radical Muslims, apostasy is punishable by death.

SEEMO urges authorities in Pristina to find the persons responsible for the threats as soon as possible, and provide Duriqi with police protection. „These threats should not be taken lightly, since they are coming in such a large number and from different sources. Kosovo must create a healthier environment for free speech and secure the protection of journalists.“ SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic stated.

 

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso and its partners and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. The project's page: Safety Net for European Journalists.A Transnational Support Network for Media Freedom in Italy and South-east Europe.