Serbian religious objects on the list of endangered objects, the Government of Kosovo is silent

The political situation and the lack of definition of the legal status are among the reasons why the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Agency - UNESCO, continues to keep the Serbian monasteries on the list of endangered objects in Kosovo. While Serbia managed to postpone this status of the churches even in the last meeting of the relevant intergovernmental committee in UNESCO, the government of Kosovo did not show whether there was a commitment to change the reality in the organization where it aims to become a member.

Serbian monasteries in Kosovo continue to remain on the list of endangered objects, based on the latest documents that are being processed at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Agency (UNESCO). This was also confirmed at the 46th meeting of the World Heritage Committee, which is conducting work in New Delhi, India, from July 21 to 31. 
Based on the published documents, in addition to the requests for conservation, the political situation in Kosovo is also mentioned as a justification for the danger that threatens the Serbian monuments. 

"The threats for which the property was registered on the List of World Heritage in Danger are: Lack of legal status of the property; Lack of legislative protection in buffer zones; Lack of implementation of the Management Plan and active management; Difficulty in monitoring the property due to political instability, post-conflict situation (visits under the escort of the Kosovo Force/United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (KFOR/UNMIK) and lack of guards and security); Unsatisfactory state of preservation and maintenance of the property", he writes in the document entitled: "Convention on the protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage" of the Intergovernmental Commission. 

The circumstances that are considered favorable for the removal of objects from the list of dangerousness are further mentioned. 

“The desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger: Full and permanent protection of the property in a secure and stable political environment; The agreed medium-term plan for the restoration of the murals (including preventive conservation and rehabilitation of the property; Implementation of the Management Plan and the full establishment of buffer zones and boundaries including their legal protection), the document reads. 

According to this Committee, in 2023, the state of conservation of three of the four components of the Monastery of Deçan, the Patriarchate of Peja and the Monastery of Graçanica remained unchanged and their features were preserved. 

"However, the state of conservation of the fourth component, the Church of the Holy Virgin of Ljevisha (St. Friday) in Prizren, is at risk due to the increasingly unstable political and security situation. The property is managed by the Serbian Orthodox Church, which, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija of the Republic of Serbia, implements its management, the plan for research, conservation and other similar works according to the approved annual program. writes in the Committee's document. 

When talking about the Monastery of Deçan, there is no mention of the decision of the Government of Kosovo through which it recognizes the right of ownership for the 25 hectares, according to the decision of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo. 

"The entrance road to Bitola is secured by the barricades of the Kosovo Forces (KFOR). Despite UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the Decan Monastery property is reported to be subject to systematic desecration and illegal confiscation. The community of Deçan Monastery is not able to enjoy the ownership of 24 hectares, despite the decision of the highest legal authority...". 

"Medieval Serbian monuments in Kosovo" were included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage in Danger in 2006 at the initiative of Serbia. It includes the Monastery of Deçan, Graçanica, the Patriarchate of Peja and the Church of Levishka (Saint Friday). 

Kosovo is not a member of UNESCO. In the current government, they have not indicated the actions taken as a non-member country in view of the change in the situation. 

Despite the many promises, the executive has also not indicated when he plans to apply for membership in UNESCO. 

The failure to join UNESCO in 2015 was called the biggest diplomatic failure. In the world, a large group of Kosovo's friendly countries engaged in the lobbying campaign, causing the Foreign Ministry to consider membership in UNESCO almost a done deal. Leaders of the lobbying staff engaged in the process even joked with those who doubted their abilities that they will not be able to make Kosovo a member of UNESCO. But in the end, for three votes, Kosovo did not reach the necessary two-thirds. 50 countries voted against Kosovo in UNESCO, while 29 abstained, including countries that have recognized the state of Kosovo, such as Poland and Japan.  

During the government of the former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, in 2019, reapplying to UNESCO was back on the agenda. However, he later withdrew as he had previously withdrawn from the application for membership in INTERPOL. The retreat was justified due to unfavorable circumstances for Kosovo.