LocationsUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kosovo and European Union have been closely listening to concerns following the announcement of the restoration of a cultural heritage site in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica associated with previous owner Xhafer Deva, whose past as a Nazi collaborator has been much commented on over the last few days.
The intention of the project has always been to bring communities together and contribute to social cohesion by using cultural heritage as an instrument for inter-community dialogue and by claiming back cultural heritage for community use. UNDP and the European Union express our strong regret for any unintentional offense caused when announcing the initiating of works while omitting the historical background of Xhafer Deva.
UNDP and European Union strongly condemn anti-semitism and xenophobia and its many manifestations, including rising intolerance and bigotry towards ethnic minorities and vulnerable communities. We are committed to protect the vulnerable, promote fundamental human rights and uphold the freedom, dignity and fight misinformation.
UNDP together with the EU, have put on hold the work at the site. We are in contact with all parties involved and re-assessing our role and contribution, including the possibility to use the current controversy as a timely opportunity to openly address the past through open discussions and consultations of all relevant communities.
Cultural heritage projects implemented by UNDP since 2016 in partnership with the EU, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, municipalities, and religious communities have completed renovation and rehabilitation works in more than 35 cultural and religious sites, belonging to diverse religious and ethnic groups living in Kosovo. The projects have also focused on revitalization of intangible cultural heritage in the form of arts, music and artisanal skills, and conducted numerous training courses and restauration camps focused particularly on women and young people from different communities. All interventions contribute towards strengthening trust and social cohesion as well as increasing respect for shared cultural heritage of different communities and religions across Kosovo.
