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REPORT FROMKCSS 01/2018
January 2018
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KOSOVO SECURITY BAROMETERSEVENTH EDITION
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KOSOVO SECURITY BAROMETERSEVENTH EDITIONJanuary 2018
© All rights reserved to Kosovar Center for Security Studies. Law on Copyright and Related Rights protects rights and intellectual property.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any forms or by any means, electronic, mechanical or other, without the permission in writing from the publisher. Commercial use of all media published by the Kosovar Center for Security Studies (KCSS) is not permitted without the written consent of the KCSS. Please contact: [email protected] or +383 38 221 420.
Perceptions presented in this report are a summary of information gathered from respondents and it only demonstrates how people percept institu-tions. It is in no way a conclusive assessment of the quality of the work of institutions subject to this study. It shall serve as an instrument to them for addressing potential shortcomings but also an indicator of the effectiveness of their communication with the people. The views presented in this report are perceptions of the respondents and do not necessarily represent the views of the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies.
Opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily represent the views of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED)
Author and Methodologist: Mentor Vrajolli, Senior Researcher
Internal Review: Dr. Florian Qehaja
External Review: Garentina Kraja
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The KCSS would like to express special acknowledgement to team members for a remarkable contribution in the �eld research. The 2017 KSB team was composed of:
PROGRAMME COORDINATORS:Mentor VrajolliTringa Naka
QUALITY ASSURANCE:Rudinë Jakupi
DATA ENTRY OFFICERDonika MarkuDhurata FazliuEdmonda Gjota
TRAINERS OF FIELD RESEARCHERSDonika EminiSkender Perteshi
FIELD RESEARCH COORDINATORSVesë KelmendiTaulant BoshnjakuArife MujiAndi Emini
FIELD RESEARCH TEAM:Andrra Perjuci, Arian Mavriqi, Arlind Alidema, Atdhe Zenuni, Bardh Bucolli, Bardh Krasniqi, Besarta Hajdini, Blerta Krasniqi, Diellza Kosumi, Driton Muhaxheri, Elona Krasniqi, Erna Buçaj, Hana Potera, Hazir Curraj, Ibrahim Murati, Ilire Bejtullahu, Jeta Ademaj, Leu-trim Ramadanaj, Marigona Dubovci, Orbis Rexha, Shpat Balaj, Valmire Imeri & Zamira Ajeti
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
LIST OF ABBREVIATONS
KEY FINDINGS OF THE KOSOVO SECURITY BAROMETER 2017 EDITION
CHAPTER 1:
1. KSB 2017: TRUST TOWARD SECURITY AND JUSTICE INSTITUTIONS 1.1 TRUST TOWARD SECURITY INSTITUTIONS
1.2 TRUST TOWARD JUSTICE INSTITUTIONS
1.3 TRUST TOWARD CENTRAL AND LOCAL INSTITUTIONS
1.4 TRUST TOWARD INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
CHAPTER 2:
1. KSB 2017: MAIN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL THREATS AS PERCIEVED BY KOSOVO CITIZENS
2.1 ANALYZING THE RISKS AND THREATS PERCEPTIONS GEOGRAPHICALLY
2.2 ANALYZING RISKS AND THREATS PERCEPTIONS VIEWED BASED ON ETHNICITY, GENDER AND AGE OF RESPONDENTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AoK Assembly of Kosovo
CSDP Common Defense and Security Policy
EU European Union
EULEX European Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo
GoK Government of Kosovo
KAF Kosovo Armed Force
KCSS Kosovar Centre for Security Studies
KFOR NATO-led Kosovo Force
KIA Kosovo Intelligence Agency
KP Kosovo Police
KSB Kosovo Security Barometer
KSF Kosovo Security Force
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NED National Endowment for Democracy
RAE Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian
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© All rights reserved to Kosovar Center for Security Studies. Law on Copyright and Related Rights protects rights and intellectual property.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any forms or by any means, electronic, mechanical or other, without the permission in writing from the publisher. Commercial use of all media published by the Kosovar Center for Security Studies (KCSS) is not permitted without the written consent of the KCSS. Please contact: [email protected] or +383 38 221 420.
Perceptions presented in this report are a summary of information gathered from respondents and it only demonstrates how people percept institu-tions. It is in no way a conclusive assessment of the quality of the work of institutions subject to this study. It shall serve as an instrument to them for addressing potential shortcomings but also an indicator of the effectiveness of their communication with the people. The views presented in this report are perceptions of the respondents and do not necessarily represent the views of the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies.
Opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily represent the views of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED)
WHAT IS KOSOVO SECURITY BAROMETER?
The Kosovo Security Barometer (KSB) is a specific program of the Koso-var Centre for Security Studies (KCSS) established in September 2012.
Its primary focus is to measure public’s trust toward security and justice institutions in Kosovo as well as to measures citizens’ perception of the internal and external security threats posed to Kosovo.
The KSB is the first and the largest undertaking of this kind designed, implemented, and communicated by a local think tank in Kosovo.
The KSB’s uniqueness in Kosovo is its political neutrality. As an indepen-dent think-tank, KCSS has no political constraints in communicating any of the findings and messages of the survey.
The KSB is a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods that provides objective and credible results.
Its data are collected through face-to-face interviews with randomly selected respondents conducted by KCSS field researchers throughout the entire Kosovo.
The KSB questionnaire mostly consisted of closed-ended questions in the form of five-point Likert Scale, followed by several open-ended questions that allow respondents to provide their thoughts without predefined options.
KCSS teams of 22 field researchers conducted the sampling, piloting, and the interviews. The national sample from which the research was drawn featured 1,125 households, following a representative sample of the population above 18 years old in Kosovo.
The ethnic breakdown of the interviewed respondents was: 90 percent K-Albanian, 7 percent K-Serbian, and 3 percent others (Turks,
Bosnians, Roma, Ashkali, Egyptians, Gorans, Croats, and Montene-grins) mirroring Kosovo’s ethnic make-up.
The sample frame was based upon telephone code areas, and, as such included the following 8 regions: Ferizaj, Gjakova, Gjilan, Mitro-vica South, Mitrovica North, Peja, Prishtina and Prizren.
The first stage of geographical clustering was based on the 2012 Kosovo Census Report. The second stage involved clustering sam-ples by municipal area with a stratified rural/urban sample as per the number of households. The last stage followed a random sampling method using the nearest ‘birthday method.’
Random sampling ensures that each resident in Kosovo has an equal probability of being chosen for an interview. With the sample used for this study, the results of the survey mirror trends in attitudes and perceptions amongst the entire adult population of Kosovo in gener-al. The margin of error is 3 percent with a confidence interval of 95 percent.
A pilot interview was conducted in mid-September 2017 to test the feasibility of the questionnaire prior to the commencement of field-work. The research team subsequently reported that the pilot inter-view was successful, and no problems were encountered with the pilot instrument. All interviews were completed from 5th until 11th of October 2017. Data processing and analysis has been completed using the SPSS software.
Perceptions presented in this report are a summary of information gathered from respondents and it demonstrates how people perceive the Kosovo institutions.
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KEY FINDINGS OF THE KOSOVO SECURITY BAROMETER 2017 EDITION
The 2017th edition of the KSB report consists of two main chapters.The first chapter measures citizens’ trust toward Kosovo’s security and justice institutions.
The seond chapter measures citizens’ perceptions of the main risks and threats
Data in the first chapter shows that:Security institutions are trusted much more than justice or democrat-ically-elected institutions.
The citizens trust toward Kosovo Security Force and the Kosovo Police have increased significantly over the past 12 months;
The trust on Kosovo’s justice institutions, Assembly of Kosovo, Government and municipal institutions remains low, comparable to that of 12 months ago.
The citizens’ trust in EULEX continues to remain very low compared to KFOR, which ranks as the second most trusted institution in Kosovo.
Generally, respondents from rural areas appear to trust slightly more security and justice institutions compare to those from the urban centers.h
In general, the respondents from Mitrovica South district show more confidence in security and justice institutions compared to four Serb-dominated northern municipalities that expressed very low level of trust.
Overall results show that K-Serb community in general continues to have less trust on all security and justice institutions in Kosovo. However, this is more apparent in the 4 municipalities in the north
tions than men. This was especially evident on the rule of law institutions (police, prosecutors’ office and courts).
Older generations trust security and justice institutions more than the younger generations.
The data from the second chapter shows that:The main challenges and threats identified by respondents were those related to: socio-economic situation; political tensions; tensions between Kosovo and Serbia; ordinary crime; violent extremism and natural hazards.
About 90 percent of respondents considered corruption, orga-nized crime and unemployment as very serious threats. Some 3/4 of the respondents considered destabilization in the north-ern part, political confrontations and violent extremism to represent a serious threat, too. The least perceived threats were risks posed by natural hazards.
Urban respondents were more concerned than the rural ones. Respondents from Mitrovica North district seemed to be less distracted by the risks and threats posed to Kosovo compare to respondents from other Kosovo municipalities;
The security perimeter showed that most respondents feels safer at home or the closer neighborhood compare to village/town or Kosovo in general, potentially indicating citizens’ uncertainty over long-term security rather than raising any major concern related to their personal safety.
Data showed that K-Serbs feel less threatened by all measured national security threats compare to K-Albanians. Finally, women and respondents older than 35 years felt much more anxious about the measured risks and threats compare to men or younger respondents.
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1. KSB 2017: TRUST TOWARDS SECURITY AND JUSTICE INSTITUTIONS
The Kosovo Security Barometer measures trust of Kosovo citizens toward the main security and justice institutions in the country. KCSS seeks to measure trust due to the fact that trust is the most adequate indicator to gauge and assess the overall impact of the performance of Koso-vo’s security and justice institutions. In addition, trust is an important measure to measure the overall (de)satisfaction of citizens in Kosovo. It measures the level of citizens’ satisfaction with the performance of the central and municipal governmental institutions. Trust also reflects citizens’ satisfaction level with their elected central and municipal representatives as well as with the overall political elite in Kosovo. It must be pointed out that the level of trust or distrust towards some institu-tions or sectors is not always based on the quality of their performance or lack of it. However, as it will be explained in different sections of this report, very often the level of trust or distrust toward institutions or sectors is based on the perceived underperformance of the government and lack of accountability of the political elites.
In total, this edition of KSB survey measured citizens’ trust on 10 key secu-rity and justice institutions. The list includes: Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Kosovo Police (PK), Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA), Kosovo State Prose-cution, Courts, Assembly of Kosovo (AoK), Government of Kosovo (GoK), Municipalities, NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) and European Rule of law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). The report categorizes these institutions in the four following groups:
Security institutions (KSF, KP and KIA)Justice institutions (Prosecution and Court)Elected institutions (AoK, GoK and Municipalities)International institutions (KFOR and EULEX)
By and large, the survey identified that Kosovo citizens trust much more the security institutions (both domestic and international) than justice institutions or the government and other elected institutions. The results’ interpretation is twofold: 1) other sectors in Kosovo are underperforming ; 2) citizens continue to be over-reliant on security institutions, a finding that highlight the sense of insecurity among them.
I CLO EP
OS VO OK
CHAPTER 1
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Logos of key institutions measured by KSB survey
KSF PK KIA Prosecution Courts Assembly Government Municipality KFOR EULEX
78%
11%
61%
16%
22%
37%
29%
40%
25%
47%
12%
66%
14%
65%
37%
36%
66%
14%
24%
46%
The trust of the citizens on Kosovo’s democratically -elected institutions is the main problems identified in this survey. Despite the recent establishment of the assembly and the government in the current setup, , citizens continue to be suspicious of these institutions. Similarly, the results were as pessimistic for institutions of justice. About 3/4 of the respondents do not trust the prosecu-tion, courts or EULEX.
The figure below provides a broad diagnosis. Its results do not explain in detail what are the motives that influenced the trust of citizens in security and justice institutions. Yet, these outcomes leave us with a set of questions:
Why institutions from security sector are more trusted than those of other sectors? Who trusts these institutions the most?In what kind of areas or in which region do they live??
What is their ethnicity, age or gender as well other important infor-mation that allows us to explain the motives of the respondents for the views held.
To explain this puzzle of what turned Kosovo security and justice institu-tions into the most trusted and distrusted respectively, the following chapter will analyze each group of the aforementioned institutions in the specific sections below. The report will provide cross-tabulated data in addition to general interpretation of the data which will allow the audi-ence to have a better picture regarding the citizens’ trust on security and justice institutions. Respectively by analyzing the trust results based on the specific area,s regions, ethnicity, gender, age group as well as other complementary data related to respondents it will allow the audience to explore further the rationale of Kosovo citizens regarding various security and justice related issues.
TRUST DO NOT TRUST
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Figure 1: Citizens’ trust towards security and justice institutions
Security institutions continue to remain the most trusted in Kosovo. The results of 2017 edition of the KSB survey shows that during the course of the year there has even been an increase of citizens’ trust on Kosovo’s security institu-tions. This particularly holds in relation to the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and the Kosovo Police (KP). The data from this survey showed that as much as 78 percent of the respon-dents trust KSF, a 10 percentage point increase compare to same period a year ago (KSB2016). This shows that during 2017 KSF not only continued to remain the most trusted institution in Kosovo but it also registered the highest percent-age of trust recorded during the entire 7 editions of the KSB survey. Positive trends of citizens’ trust have also been registered toward the KP. This year 61 percent of the respondents trust KP. The result represent a 5 percentage point increase compare to a year ago. As such, KP is reconfirmed in its position as one of the most trusted institutions in Kosovo as well as also one of the most trusted police institutions in the region and beyond.
This KSB edition registered the highest level of citizens’ trust toward KP recorded during the seven editions of its survey.On the other hand, the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA) during 2017 continues to remain less trusted by Kosovo citizens compare to the other security institutions. In this edition, only about 22 percent of the respon-dents stated that they trust the institution. However, compared to previ-ous years, KIA saw a positive trend of trust. This year the respondents’ trust toward KIA was 5 percentage point higher compared to a year ago. These results show that in 2017 Kosovo citizens have relied more heavily on security institutions than in previous years. The motives for such trends, however, remain unclear. A cross tabulation method was used to explore further these results.
1.1. TRUST TOWARDS SECURITY INSTITUTIONS
Trust towards KIA
8% 22% 33% 37% 2% 78% 10% 11% 1% 61% 22% 16%
Don’t know Trust Somehow Don’t trust
Trust towards KSF
Trust towards KP
Figure 1.1: Citizens’ trust toward security institutions (KSB2017)
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Security institutions continue to remain the most trusted in Kosovo. The results of 2017 edition of the KSB survey shows that during the course of the year there has even been an increase of citizens’ trust on Kosovo’s security institu-tions. This particularly holds in relation to the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and the Kosovo Police (KP). The data from this survey showed that as much as 78 percent of the respon-dents trust KSF, a 10 percentage point increase compare to same period a year ago (KSB2016). This shows that during 2017 KSF not only continued to remain the most trusted institution in Kosovo but it also registered the highest percent-age of trust recorded during the entire 7 editions of the KSB survey. Positive trends of citizens’ trust have also been registered toward the KP. This year 61 percent of the respondents trust KP. The result represent a 5 percentage point increase compare to a year ago. As such, KP is reconfirmed in its position as one of the most trusted institutions in Kosovo as well as also one of the most trusted police institutions in the region and beyond.
This KSB edition registered the highest level of citizens’ trust toward KP recorded during the seven editions of its survey.On the other hand, the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA) during 2017 continues to remain less trusted by Kosovo citizens compare to the other security institutions. In this edition, only about 22 percent of the respon-dents stated that they trust the institution. However, compared to previ-ous years, KIA saw a positive trend of trust. This year the respondents’ trust toward KIA was 5 percentage point higher compared to a year ago. These results show that in 2017 Kosovo citizens have relied more heavily on security institutions than in previous years. The motives for such trends, however, remain unclear. A cross tabulation method was used to explore further these results.
Box 1.1.1 Rural/Urban
-The percentage of respondents’ trust towards KSF per regions: Prishtina 84%; south Mitrovica 86%; Peja 83%; Prizren 77%; Ferizaj 79%; Gjilan 71%; Gjakova 80%; north Mitrovica 2%;
-The percentage of respondents distrust towards KSF per regions: Prishtina 6%; south Mitrovica 4%; Peja 7%; Prizren 12%; Ferizaj 10%; Gjilan 13%; Gjakova 8%; north Mitrovica 66%;
Box 1.1.2. Trust towards security institutions seen from the regional perspective
KSF
-Approx. 3 in 4 interviewed respondents (78%) from both rural and urban areas trusted KSF.
-Approx. 2 in 3 (64%) respondents from rural area trusted KP compare to 3 in 5 (59%) respondents from the urban ones.
-Around 1 in 9 (12%) respondents from rural areas stated that they do trust KIA compare to 1 in 6 (18%) of the urban ones
-The percentage of respondents’ trust towards KP per regions: Prishtina 64%; south Mitrovica 78%; Peja 63%; Prizren 61%; Ferizaj 57%; Gjilan 57%; Gjakova 63%; north Mitrovica 10%;
-The percentage of respondents distrust towards KP per regions: Prishtina 15%; south Mitrovica 12%; Peja 16%; Prizren 14%; Ferizaj 21%; Gjilan 13%; Gjakova 10%; north Mitrovica 56%;
KP KIA
-The percentage of respondents’ trust towards KIA per regions: Prishtina 25%; south Mitrovica 25%; Peja 29%; Prizren 20%; Ferizaj 19%; Gjilan 20%; Gjakova 25%; north Mitrovica 0%;
-The percentage of respondents distrust towards KIA per regions: Prishtina 34%; south Mitrovica 37; Peja 33%; Prizren 38%; Ferizaj 45%; Gjilan 37%; Gjakova 35%; north Mitrovica 44%;
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These results show that there is a correlation between inter-ethnic relations and trust toward security institutions. The responses of K-Serb respondents in the KSB survey attest to that. Those living in Mitrovica north were more reluctant to trust Kosovo security institutions, while those living in the other areas were much balanced. However, in other areas in Kosovo the aggregated results showed that respondents from K-Albanian majority and other minorities continue to place more trust on the Kosovo security institutions than K-Serb respondents.Finally, the report analyzed trust in these institutions also from the perspective of the gender and the age of respondents. In this case, result showed that both men and women have their own preferences with regard to Kosovo security institutions:
Men respondents were slightly more predisposed to trust KSF than women.
Women were slightly more predisposed to trust KP and KIA compare to men.
However, despite the marginal difference, the result still indicates that women in Kosovo feels less secured compare to men and therefore they place more trust in the Kosovo Police. Men appear more in tune with major national security developments in comparison to women, which may account for the trust they place on KSF. The KSB noticed some difference on trust levels across generations. Respondents of age 35 years or younger trust security institutions much more than the older ones. This gap exceeded 10 percentage point differ-ence between KSF and KP, while in KIA’s case this gap is relatively lower.
26%
Box 1.1.5. Trust based on age groupsBox 1.1.4. Trust based on genderBox 1.1.3. Trust based on ethnicity
-Slightly more than 3 in 4 (76%) female respondents trusted the KSF compare to 4 in 5 (79%) of the male ones
-Around 2 in 3 (64%) female respondents trusted the KP compare to 3 In 5 (59%) of the male ones
-Approx.1 in 7 (15%) female respondents trusted the KP compare to 1 in 6 (17%) of the male ones
-Less than 1 in 11 (8%) K-Serb respondents trusted KSF which is significantly lower than K-Albanians ones whose trust frequency was as much as 4 in 5 (83%).
-Approx. 1 in 4 (24%) K-Serbs respondents trusted KP, which is again lower compare to 2 in 3 (64%) of the K-Albanian respondents.
-Approx. 1 in 11 (8%) K-Serb respondents trusted KIA compare to about 1 in 4 (23%) of the K-Albanian ones.
-Respondent from non K-Serb minorities resulted trusting more in all security institution even than K-Albanian majority.
-Approx. 4 in 5 (82%) respondents 18 to 35 years old trusted KSF compare to little bit less than 3 in 4 (70%) of those older ones.
-Approx. 2 in 3 (65%) respondents 18 to 35 years old trusted KP compare to slightly more than 1 in 2 (55%) of the older ones.
-Approx. 1 in 7 (14%) respondents 18 to 35 years old trusted KIA compare to 1 in 5 (20%) of those older ones.
18-35Years old
35Above
Years old
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The upward trends in the security sector did not hold for other public sectors in Kosovo. The KSB survey results show that in 2017 the citizens’ trust in justice institu-tions continued to remain low. This negative perception is valid for both the prosecution and courts, the two main pillars of the justice sector. Less than 1 in 3 respondents (29 percent) trust the Prosecution, while 40 percent stated that they do not trust this institution. This is a negative finding given that the Prosecution is a key institution in strengthening the rule of law in Kosovo. The trends were even more negative in measuring citizens’ trust toward courts. Only 1 in every 4 respondents (25 percent) trusted courts, whereas nearly every second respondent (47 percent) stated to have no trust in courts. This means that only a quarter of the population in Kosovo trusts in justice provided by national courts, while almost half of the population have no trust in national justice.
Here it is worth noting that the perceptions of respondents were based on multiple sources and indicators rather than solely on their personal experiences. These perceptions are only partially based on the personal experiences related to the performance of these institutions. To the much larger extent these perceptions are based on the other indicators. One of these indicators is also the high level of corruption and informality, which arguably exist in the Kosovo’s public and private sector. Therefore, most likely in the eyes of the respondents, a weak judiciary has led Kosovo towards alarming levels of corruption, nepotism and politiciza-tion of the entire public administration, creating a chain effect that has brought upon a high level of the informality both in the public and private sector. Moreover, it seems likely that respondents consider judicial institu-tions as the source of decay of the entire public sector.
1.2. TRUST TOWARDS JUSTICE INSTITUTIONS
2% 29% 29% 40% 1% 25% 26% 47%
Don’t know Trust Somehow Don’t trust
Prosecution
Court
14
Figure 1.2. Citizens’ trust towards justice institutions (KSB2017)
The report examines quantitative data to look for the complementary interpre-tations on what makes respondents place such low level of trust on their judiciary. To do so, we use cross tabulation methods. The focus was again to use key geographic and demographic data collected, such as the area, region, ethnicity, gender and age of the respondents to measure the trust toward justice institutions. Results showed that there is only a small irrelevant difference (less than 2 percentage points) between the opinions of respondents from rural areas compare to those in urban zones.
Urban population only by a slight margin tends to trust judicial institutions more compare to the rural ones.
On the other hand, the data from the various regions showed similar trends on the trust toward security institutions. The most characteristic case once again was the ethnically divided region of Mitrovica.
While in the predominantly K-Albanian southern side of Mitrovica the trust toward judicial institutions was higher than in other regions in Kosovo, in four northern Serb-dominated municipalities, the trust toward justice institutions was the lowest.
Box 1.2.1. Rural Urban
-Percentage of respondents that trusts prosecution according to region results: Prishtina 28%; south Mitrovica 36%; Peja 23%; Prizren 34%; Ferizaj 32%; Gjilan 26%; Gjakova 35%; north Mitrovica 2%;
-Percentage of respondents that do not trusts prosecution according to region results: Prishtina 41%; south Mitrovica 36%; Peja 43%; Prizren 33%; Ferizaj 40%; Gjilan 38%; Gjakova 43%; north Mitrovi-ca 73%;
Box 1.2.2. Trust as well as distrust towards justice institutions seen from the regional perspective
PROSECUTION-Approx. 1/3 (32%) of the rural respondents trusts prosecution compare to areound1/4 (27 %) of the urban ones.
-Slightly more than1 in 4 (28 percent) rural respondents trusts courts compare to 1 in 5 (22 percent) of the urban ones stated the same.
-This difference in opinion was not reflected also when it comes to distrust with both rural and urban respondents scoring only 1 to 2 percent deviation from the total percentage.
COURTS
-Percentage of respondents that trusts courts according to region results: Prishtina 26%; south Mitrovica 30%; Peja 30%; Prizren 28%; Ferizaj 26%; Gjilan 22%; Gjakova12%; north Mitrovica 5%;
-Percentage of respondents that do not trusts courts according to region results: Prishtina 47%; south Mitrovica 37%; Peja 47%; Prizren 42%; Ferizaj 52%; Gjilan 47%; Gjakova 57%; north Mitrovica 68%;
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In turn, the results show that in other regions the percentage of K-Serbs who trusts Kosovo justice institutions was higher compare to those living in the four northern municipalities. The KSB survey took place before the oath ceremony of K-Serb prosecutors and judges, which took place in late October 2017. The citizens in the northern part of Kosovo provided their opinions in a state of legal limbo and the formal absence of justice system. In addition to ethnicity, the report also measured trust toward the judicial institutions from the perspective of gender and age. The results showed that women trust justice institutions more than men. This difference in trust between male and female respondents exceeded 10 percentage points. There might be various explanations related to factors that cause this opinion gap between male and female respondents.
Most standing arguments are those that relate to traditional norms that to some extent still dictate the social construction of gender roles in Kosovo. According to this argument, female respondents continue to exhibit higher dependency on state institutions, including on institutional-ized justice. Meanwhile, men respondents may have lower trust on justice due to patriotic motives and ‘manhood responsibility’ of been vocal when national interest are at stake.Lastly, the survey data shows that when it comes to prosecution there is no major difference between younger and older respondents. However, this attitude did not hold in the case of courts; older respondents tended to share slightly more negative views compare to younger ones
26%
Box 1.2.5. Trust based on age groupsBox 1.2.4. Trust based on genderBox 1.2.3. Trust based on ethnicity
-Approx. 1 in 3 (35%) female respondents trusted the prosecution which was much higher compare male of whom only around 1 in 5 (21%) stated to trust this institution
-Slightly less than 1 in 3 (3h1%) female respondents trusted Courts which is a much higher proportion compare male of whom only 1 in 6 (18) stated the same;
-Approx. 1 in 11 (9%) K-Serb respondents trusted Prosecution, which is significantly lower than K-Albanians ones whose trust frequency was around 1 in 3 (30%).
-Approx. 1 in 8 (14%) K-Serbs respondents trusted Courts, which is again lower compare to around 1 in 4 (26%) of the K-Albanian respondents.
-Respondent from non K-Serb minorities again resulted trusting more in all justice institution even than K-Albanian majority.
-29% of the respondents aged between 18 to 35 year old trusted prosecution; only 27% of the older ones stated the same.
-27% of the respondents aged between 18 to 35 years old trusted Courts; were older respondents were slightly more skeptical with only 24% trusting Kosovo courts
18-35Years old
35Above
Years old
16
In turn, the results show that in other regions the percentage of K-Serbs who trusts Kosovo justice institutions was higher compare to those living in the four northern municipalities. The KSB survey took place before the oath ceremony of K-Serb prosecutors and judges, which took place in late October 2017. The citizens in the northern part of Kosovo provided their opinions in a state of legal limbo and the formal absence of justice system. In addition to ethnicity, the report also measured trust toward the judicial institutions from the perspective of gender and age. The results showed that women trust justice institutions more than men. This difference in trust between male and female respondents exceeded 10 percentage points. There might be various explanations related to factors that cause this opinion gap between male and female respondents.
Most standing arguments are those that relate to traditional norms that to some extent still dictate the social construction of gender roles in Kosovo. According to this argument, female respondents continue to exhibit higher dependency on state institutions, including on institutional-ized justice. Meanwhile, men respondents may have lower trust on justice due to patriotic motives and ‘manhood responsibility’ of been vocal when national interest are at stake.Lastly, the survey data shows that when it comes to prosecution there is no major difference between younger and older respondents. However, this attitude did not hold in the case of courts; older respondents tended to share slightly more negative views compare to younger ones
1.3. TRUST TOWARD CENTRAL AND LOCAL INSTITUTIONS
Trust towards A
oK
1% 12% 21% 66% 1% 37% 25% 36%
Don’t know Trust Somehow Don’t trust
Trust towards G
oK
Trust towards M
unicipalities
1% 14% 20% 65%
Figure 1.3: Citizens’ trust toward main representative institutions (KSB2017)
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The report analyzed also the trust towards AoK, GoK and municipalities from the various angles, starting from geographic distribution of the respondents and also their demographic structure. As regarding the geographic distribution of the respondents, the results shows that rural and urban respondents shares almost identical views when it comes to their trust on AoK or Municipalities. However, when it comes to Government the respondents from urban areas seemed to trust it less compare to from rural ones.
As regarding the regions, the result shows that everywhere in Kosovo the trust towards Assembly and Government remains very low. The findings shows that respondents from the Prishtina, Mitrovica South and Gjakova districts were more predisposed to trust their respective municipality compare to respondents from other Kosovo regions. This was quite opposite in Mitrovica North which showed that trust towards municipal institutions is the least compare to respondents from all other regions. This marks a discrepancy in the overwhelming victory of existing Serbian political party Serbian List and general level of dissatisfaction.
The percentage of respondents’ trust towards AoK per regions: Prishtina 13%; south Mitrovica 13%; Peja 12%; Prizren 14%; Ferizaj 11%; Gjilan 6%; Gjakova 10%; north Mitrovica 2%;
The percentage of respondents’ distrust towards AoK per regions: Prishtina 68%; south Mitrovica 62%; Peja 64%; Prizren 65%; Ferizaj 67%; Gjilan 60%; Gjakova 65%; north Mitrovica 83%;
Less than 1 in 8 respondents (12%) living either in the rural area urban trusted AoK.
Approx. 1 in 7 respondent (16%) from rural area trusted GoK which is at slightly lower rate compare respondents from urban areas who were at 1 in 8 rate (13%).
38% of the respondents from rural areas stated that they do trust their own Municipality; 39 percent of those from rural areas stated the same;
The percentage of respondents’ trust towards GoK per regions: Prishtina 13%; south Mitrovica 19%; Peja 15%; Prizren 19%; Ferizaj 12%; Gjilan 9%; Gjakova 14%; north Mitrovica 2%;
The percentage of respondents distrust towards GoK per regions: Prishtina 66%; south Mitrovica 62%; Peja 64%; Prizren 65%; Ferizaj 67%; Gjilan 60%; Gjakova 65%; north Mitrovica 83%;
The percentage of respondents’ trust towards their Municipality per regions: Prishtina 40%; south Mitrovica 41%; Peja 37%; Prizren 39%; Ferizaj 38%; Gjilan 31%; Gjakova 41%; north Mitrovica 15%;
The percentage of respondents distrust towards their municipality per regions: Prishtina 35%; south Mitrovica 36; Peja 36%; Prizren 37%; Ferizaj 40%; Gjilan 31%; Gjakova 41%; north Mitrovica 56%;
Box 1.3.1. Rural Urban Box 1.3.2. Trust towards main central and local representative institutions seen from the regional perspective
AoK GoK Municipalities
18
The report analyzed data also based on the ethnic composition of the respon-dents. The results showed that K-Serbs have much less trust in AoK and GoK compare to K-Albanians or other Kosovo communities. However, this difference was less apparent when it comes to trust on the respective municipal institu-tions. Respectively, aside from the K-Serb respondents living in the northern Kosovo, other K-Serb respondents seemed to have no major difference in opinions with other communities in Kosovo. This clearly shows that when it comes to K-Serbs, the level of integration in Kosovo jurisdiction plays a major role also when it comes to establishing trustful municipal institution by this community. Meantime, the report continued analyzing trust on these institutions also based on the gender and age of the interviewed respondents.
From the gender point of view, data shows that female respondents tend to trust less the AoK and GoK compare to the men ones, whereas when it comes to trust on municipality the results were highly balanced.
From the age perspective the results showed that older respondents tends to trust more in all three institutions compare to younger respon-dents. Actually this result seems to be very much related to the lack of conformism which objectively exists among the young populations in Kosovo. Respectively this lack of trust among the younger population seem to be directly related to the extensive needs that they may have and lack of opportunities that all three aforementioned institutions offer for them.
26%
Box 1.3.5. Trust based on age groupsBox 1.3.4. Trust based on genderBox 1.3.3. Trust based on ethnicity
1 in 10 (10%) female respondents trusted the AoK compare to a bit more than 1 in 7 (14%) of the male ones
Less than 1 in 8 (12%) female respondents trusted the KP compare to 1 In 6 (17%) of the male ones
Between 2 in 5 and 1 in 3 of both female respondents (with 38%) and male ones (with 37%) trusted their respective municipality
Less than 1 in 20 (5%) K-Serb respondents trusted AoK which is significantly lower than K-Albanians ones whose trust frequency was at1 in 8 (14%).
1 in 18 (6%) of K-Serb respondents trusted GoK which again represents a lower rate compare to approx. 1 in 7 (14%) of the K-Albanian ones.
A bit more than 1 in 4 K-Serb respondents (29%) trusted KIA which is again lower compare to approx.. 2 in 5 (38%) of the K-Albanian ones.
Respondent from non K-Serb minorities shared above average level of trust on AoK whilst trust in GoK (13%) and municipalities (35%) resulted being lower.
At least 1 in 11 respondents (9%) who were between 18 to 35 years old trusted AoK which is a lower rate compare to older ones who were at the approx. 1 in 7 (15%)
Approx. 1 in7 respondents (13%) who were between 18 to 35 years old trusted GoK once more representing a lower rate compare to older ones who’s rate was at 1 in 6 (15%).
Approx. 1 in 3 respondents (35%) who were between 18 to 35 years old trusted Munici-palities which is again lower compare older whose trust rate was at 2 in 5 (39%).
18-35Years old
35Above
Years old
19
The report analyzed data also based on the ethnic composition of the respon-dents. The results showed that K-Serbs have much less trust in AoK and GoK compare to K-Albanians or other Kosovo communities. However, this difference was less apparent when it comes to trust on the respective municipal institu-tions. Respectively, aside from the K-Serb respondents living in the northern Kosovo, other K-Serb respondents seemed to have no major difference in opinions with other communities in Kosovo. This clearly shows that when it comes to K-Serbs, the level of integration in Kosovo jurisdiction plays a major role also when it comes to establishing trustful municipal institution by this community. Meantime, the report continued analyzing trust on these institutions also based on the gender and age of the interviewed respondents.
From the gender point of view, data shows that female respondents tend to trust less the AoK and GoK compare to the men ones, whereas when it comes to trust on municipality the results were highly balanced.
From the age perspective the results showed that older respondents tends to trust more in all three institutions compare to younger respon-dents. Actually this result seems to be very much related to the lack of conformism which objectively exists among the young populations in Kosovo. Respectively this lack of trust among the younger population seem to be directly related to the extensive needs that they may have and lack of opportunities that all three aforementioned institutions offer for them.
Based on this sub-indicator:
AoK is trusted by: 13% of employed respondents; 12% of those on the retirement; 13% of housekeepers; 7% of students; and10% of those unem-ployed;
GoK is trusted by: 14% of the employed respondents; 22% of those on the retirement; 13% of housekeepers; 10% of students; and 13% of those unem-ployed;
Municipalities are trusted by: 36% of employed respondents; 42% of those who were on the retirement; 42% of declared as housekeepers; 29% of those who were students; and 35% of those who were unemployed;
Based on this sub-indicator:
AoK is trusted by: 11% of respondents with 0€ to 120€ incomes; 10% of those with 120€ to 250€; 15% of those with 250€ to 500€; 14% of those with 500€ to 800€; 21% of those with above 800€;
GoK is trusted by:13% of those with 0€ to 120€ ; 11% of those with 120€ to 250€; 18% of those with 250€ to 500€; 16% of those with 500€ to 800€ (16%)l; 31% of those with above 800€
Municipalities are trusted by: 37% of those with 0€ to 120€; 36% of those with 120€ to 250€; 41% of those with 250€ to 500€; 26% of those with 500€ to 800€; 48% of those with above 800€;
€
Box 1.3.6. Level of trust per institution based on the occupation of the respondents:
Box 1.3.7. Level of trust per institution based on monthly income of the respondents
20
KFOR continues to remain one of the most trusted international mechanisms in the Republic of Kosovo. About 2 in every 3 respondents (66 percent) expressed trust toward the NATO mission, which makes it the second most trusted institution in Kosovo after KSF.This means that Kosovo citizens continue to remain supportive of a NATO presence in Kosovo. Citizens see KFOR as facilitator of Kosovo’s transition toward NATO integration. They also consider KFOR’s mission in support of the development of the defense capabilities in Kosovo, which will eventually replace the international military presence.On the other hand, the citizens’ trust toward EULEX continues to remain very low. As results below shows, less than 1 in 4 interviewed respondents (24 percent) trusts EULEX while 46 percent of them stated that they do not trust this international mission.
This low level of trust toward EULEX is based on multiple factors. The main cause of distrust is EULEX failure to exercise its primary duty, namely to strengthen the rule of law in Kosovo. In the meantime, the corruption scandals which erupted during the past years and which allegedly involved EULEX prosecutors and judges, only strengthened the convictions of the citizens that this mission lacks willingness and professional competence to deal with corruption and organized crime. Therefore, as a result, the trust of citizens toward this mission has hit the bottom.In order to get a clearer picture regarding these perceptions the report further analyzed the survey data using as an indicator the ethnic and the regional distribution of the respondents.
1.4. TRUST TOWARD INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
1% 66% 19% 14% 3% 24% 26% 46%
Don’t know Trust Somehow Don’t trust
KFOR
EULEX
Figure 1.4: Citizens’ trust toward International Institutions (KSB2017)
21
The data shows that K-Albanians (70 percent) and the respondents from non-Serb minorities (61 percent) were much more inclined to trust KFOR compare to K-Serbs (only 19 percent). The result is understandable considering that K-Albanian majority continues to perceive NATO’s mission as the liberators of Kosovo and at some extend also as the protector of its national sovereignty. K-Albanian respondents trust much more the EULEX compare to K-Serbs. To be more precise, approximately 1 in 4 K-Albanian respondents trust (27 percent) this mission compare to only 1 in 10 K-Serb (10 percent) respondents. In the meantime, other communities trust EULEX, with 1 in 3 respondents (36 Percent) stating so.
Meanwhile, when it comes to regions, more than 70 percent of the respon-dents from Gjakova, Gjilan and Prishtina trust KFOR the most. However, this high level of trust did not hold for the ethnically divided city of Mitrovi-ca. In the Mitrovica south the level of trust was at 57 percent. In Mitrovica north only about 20 percent trusted this mission. On the other hand, when it comes to EULEX, this mission is the most trusted in Gjakova (with 39 Percent) while this mission is the least trusted in the Mitrovica north. Only 8 percent of the respondents from the north trust EULEX. In other regions the trust fell between 24 and 28 percent.
Box 1.4.1. Trust based on ethnicity
The percentage of respondents trust towards KFOR per region: Prishtina 73%; south Mitrovica 57%; Peja 66%; Prizren 68%; Ferizaj 62%; Gjilan 72%; Gjakova 73%; north Mitrovica 19%;
The percentage of respondents distrust towards KFOR per region: Prishtina 9%; south Mitrovica 20%; Peja 10%; Prizren 17%; Ferizaj 17%; Gjilan 8%; Gjakova 4%; north Mitrovica 43%;
Box 1.4.2 Trust as well as distrust towards International Institutions in Kosovo according to regions
KFOR
Less than 1 in 5 (19%) of the K-Serb respondents trusted KFOR which is significantly lower than K-Albanians ones whose trust frequency was at 4 in 5 (80%).
1 in 10 (10%) of K-Serb respondents trusted EULEX which again represents a lower rate compare to approx. 2 in 5 (40%) of the K-Albanian ones.
A bit more than 2/3 (70%) of respondent from non K-Serb minorities trust on KFOR 1 in 3 (36%) of these respondents trusted also EULEX.
EULEX
Percentage of respondents trust towards EULEX per region: Prishtina 26%; south Mitrovica 25%; Peja 32%; Prizren 21%; Ferizaj 26%; Gjilan 28%; Gjakova 31%; north Mitrovica 5%;
The percentage of respondents disstrut towards EULEX per region: Prishtina 45%; south Mitrovica 50%; Peja 43%; Prizren 50%; Ferizaj 44%; Gjilan 49%; Gjakova 29%; north Mitrovica 63%;
22
Aside from measuring the trust towards security institutions, the KSB2017 continues its trends of measuring perceptions of the Kosovo citizens also regarding the main internal and external security threats. The measurement of perceived threat have been done through providing the respondents with both open-ended and closed ended questions.Through the open question the respondents were asked to describe in a very short sentence which are the main risks and threats that Kosovo citizens are facing. The references made by respondents on the open questions were almost identical to those projected in the close-ended questions. The most referenced threats highlighted by respondents through open questions were those related to: existed critical socio-economic situation; political tensions; tensions between Kosovo and Serbia; ordinary crime; violent extremism; and the natural hazards. The economic related threats resulted being the most quoted by the inter-viewed respondents. Their main concerns were unemployment, low economic developments, isolation and lack of opportunities
Political instability, included political tensions, the lack of proper leader-ship and bad-governance which includes high level of corruption, nepo-tism and politicization. Tensioned relationships between Kosovo and Serbia as the third most referenced threat that possess Kosovo among others included: the ongoing inter-ethnic tensions, the supposed Russia involvement; and the interferences of Serbia on Kosovo’s state recognition and membership into international organizations processes. References related to ordinary crimes which resulted being the third most referenced main threat mainly pointed out on increased number of robbery, thief, homicide, racketing, azury, etc. Meantime, violent extremism, radicalization and terrorism resulted being only the fifth most concerning threat according to respondents. While, natural hazards and traffic accidents came sixth with most referenced threats by the interviewed respondents.
CHAPTER 21. KSB 2017: MAIN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL THREATS AS PERCIEVED BY
KOSOVO CITIZENS
36.6%
18.6% 12.5% 11.4% 10.5% 7.4% 2.6% 0.4%
Socio-Econom-ic Factors
(High unem-ployment,
undeveloped economy, lack of opportuni-ties, isolation)
Political Tensions, lack of leadership
and bad gover-
nance(Includ-ing corruption and informali-
ty)
Relationship between
Kosovo and Serbia and its
inerethnic implication,
Russian Involvement and
other foreign involements, Nationalism
Don’t have an answer
Ordinary criminal activites
Violent Extremism,
Radicalization and Terrorism
Do not feel threatened
Natural Hazards and accidents
Figure A: Citizen’s perception on main threats posed towards Kosovo national security (KSB2017)
23
The respondents’ ranking of the main security threats did not significantly differ in the closed ended questions, indicating that Kosovo is dealing with multiple challenges and threats at the same time.As the figure shows, socio-economic threats, such as unemployment, were the biggest perceived threats. However, as the graph shows, while some of the threats appear slightly more imminent compare to others, the vast majority of respondents treats the entire list of threats seriously. While almost 90 percent of the respondents continues to consider corruption, organized crime and unemployment as serious threats, about 75 percent also considered the tense situation in the northern Kosovo, violent extremism and political instability as serious threats, too.
The respondents were less concerned about natural hazards: less than 50 percent of the respondents perceived it as a threat. This chapter elaborates in further detail the perception of respondents regarding the risks and threats. The first part will focus on key geographic data of the respondents, and for the first time it will contain data related to the security perimeter in Kosovo. The second part will focus on the nuances generated based on demographic/identity-related data (ethnici-ty, gender and age group).
100%
Natural Hazards
Destabilization of the North
Violent Extremism
Political Instability
Unemployment
Organized Crime
Corruption 2.84% 6.49%
0% 50%
89.96%
88.09%
88.18%
73.60%
73.96%
74.76%
47.02%19.73%
12.09%
11.02%
14.58%
7.02%
7.11%3.56%
4.00%
9.96%
12.53%
10.93%
30.76%
No Answer Not a Threat Somehow A Threat
Figure 2. Citizens’ perception on closed ended question related to the main threats posed to Kosovo’s national security (KSB2017)
24
The upward trends in the security sector did not hold for other public sectors in Kosovo. The KSB survey results show that in 2017 the citizens’ trust in justice institu-tions continued to remain low. This negative perception is valid for both the prosecution and courts, the two main pillars of the justice sector. Less than 1 in 3 respondents (29 percent) trust the Prosecution, while 40 percent stated that they do not trust this institution. This is a negative finding given that the Prosecution is a key institution in strengthening the rule of law in Kosovo. The trends were even more negative in measuring citizens’ trust toward courts. Only 1 in every 4 respondents (25 percent) trusted courts, whereas nearly every second respondent (47 percent) stated to have no trust in courts. This means that only a quarter of the population in Kosovo trusts in justice provided by national courts, while almost half of the population have no trust in national justice.
Here it is worth noting that the perceptions of respondents were based on multiple sources and indicators rather than solely on their personal experiences. These perceptions are only partially based on the personal experiences related to the performance of these institutions. To the much larger extent these perceptions are based on the other indicators. One of these indicators is also the high level of corruption and informality, which arguably exist in the Kosovo’s public and private sector. Therefore, most likely in the eyes of the respondents, a weak judiciary has led Kosovo towards alarming levels of corruption, nepotism and politiciza-tion of the entire public administration, creating a chain effect that has brought upon a high level of the informality both in the public and private sector. Moreover, it seems likely that respondents consider judicial institu-tions as the source of decay of the entire public sector.
2.1. ANALYZING RISK AND THREAT PERCEPTIONS THROUGH A GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
Corruption Organized Crime Unemployment Political Confrontation Destabilizationin the North
Violent Extremism Natural Hazards
88% 92% 86% 90%86% 90%
70%77%
70%79% 73% 74%
47% 47%
Figure 2.1. Citizens’ perception on closed ended question related to main threats posed to Kosovo national security: Rural/Urban perspective (KSB2017)
25
Rural Urban
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Corruption Organized Crime Unemployment Political Confrontation Destabilizationin the North
Violent Extremism Natural Hazards
Prishtina Mitrovica(south)
Peja Prizren Ferizaj Gjilan Gjakova Mitrovica(north)
Across regions, as the figure shows, respondents from Gjakova and Ferizaj most frequently considered corruption to be a serious national security threat. Respondents from these two districts were also more concerned on average about the threat posed by organized crime, the tensions in the country’s north and violent extremism. Respondents from Gjakova were the most concerned about threats stemming from unemployment, followed by respondents in Mitrovica south. On the other hand, respondents from Ferizaj district felt slighlty more concerned about the political confrontation, compare to other Kosovo regions. The most concerned respondents on threats posed by natural hazards were from Peja and Ferizaj. The percepetion of respondents from Prishtina, Mitrovica, Prizren and Peja district were more closer to the average registered for the entire Kosovo.
Similar views were shared respondents from Gjilan district although the level of threat percieved by them was slightly lower. Interestingly respon-dents from Gjilan district said they felt least threatened by violent extrem-ism despite the fact that the region is one of the most affected areas by the foreign fighters phenomena. Finally, an interesting finding was also the perceptions of respondents from four northern municipalities which appeared the least concerned on almost all measured national threats. This have been especially evident in the case of unemployment, political confrontations, destablization in the north, and natural hazards. However, also when it comes to corruption and at some extend organized crime and violent extremism their concerns are below the Kosovo average.
Figure 2.2. Citizens’ perception on closed-ended questions related to main threats posed to Kosovo national security: Perspectives shared by respondents from different Kosovo districts (KSB2017)
26
Finally, another interesting indicator that this edition of the KSB has elaborated for the first time is the security perimeter.The KSB has regularly asked respondents about how safe they feel in the following four different settings: at homes, in their neighborhoods, in their villages/towns and in general in Kosovo. Our aim was to map a virtual security perimeter and to identify which are the micro or macro environments in Kosovo where citizens feel the safest. Previously, this data was included on the special editions of KSB focused in interpreting perceptions related to safety. However, from this edition the results collected on this questions will be included in the regular edition of the KSB.The figures below show that Kosovo citizens feel most safely at home. Almost 9 in 10 interviewed respondents (85 percent) stated that they feel very safe at home. It also shows that almost at the same rate Kosovo citizens feel safe also in their respective neighborhoods. According to KSB survey results, about 8 in 10 respondents stated at they feel safe in their neighborhoods. These are two important indicators that show that Kosovo citizens feel generally safe regard-ing potential occurrences of petty crime. The sense of safety begins to diminish the more the respondents are exposed to the macro-level environments. This is noticed as soon as respondents get asked how safe they feel in their village/town where only one in 4 (75 percent)
stated that they feel safe. This trend becomes further apparent when they are asked how safe they feel in Kosovo. As the figure shows, only 1 in 2 respondents (54 percent) felt safe in Kosovo. The change in mood by respondents on the safety perimeter may not necessarily be interpreted as an increase of danger. The results show that the percentage of respondents who state that they feel unsafe remained pretty low even when the respondents were asked about the level of safety in their village/town or in Kosovo. What seem to grow in the macro-environmental levels according to results below is actually the sense of uncertainty. Some may relate it to the random human instincts, concluding that the larger the environment is the greater are the possibilities to be exposed to danger. Others may relate it to the socio-economic threats pertaining to high levels of unemployment, lack of perspective, isolation, low economic development, the level of corruption and nepotism that exists in Kosovo at the central and municipal level. This includes also the political instability and the lack of proper leadership, the existing high level of organized crime which is hampering the economic development in Kosovo and also Serbia’s hostile attitude toward Kosovo.
Home Neighborhood Village/Town Kosovo
Figure B. Security perimeter: Results on how Safe Kosovo Citizens feel at:
85%
10%
4%
82%
12%
5%
75%
18%
7%
54%31%
15%
Safe Somehow Unsafe Don’t Know/No Answer
27
2.2.ANALYZING RISKS AND THREATS PERCEPTIONS BASED ON ETHNICITY, GENDER AND AGE
Ethnicity, gender and age are some of the most common indicators that play a crucial role in shaping citizens perceptions across the board. On ethnicity, the results from the cross-tabulated data show that there is a notable difference on how K-Albanian respondents and Kosovo’s non-Serb minorities perceive the main risks and threats to Kosovo national security compared to K-Serbs. The K-Albanian respondents in most of the cases as also those from the other communities tend to respond more sensitively to the listed risks and threats to Kosovo, while K-Serb respondents usually seem to be slightly calmer regarding these topics. This difference became more apparent when respondents were asked about instability in the north. Only 1 in 3 K-Serb respondents (35 percent) stated it as a threat compare to almost 4 in 5 ratio (78 percent) among the K-Albanian respondents. A similar opinion gap showed on the natural hazards, political violence and violent extremism.
This difference was less apparent when respondents were asked about corruption, organized crime and to some extent about unemployment.Interesting results emerged also when comparing the perception of respondents based on their gender. Female respondents were more concerned about all the risks and threats listed. This gender based opinion gap was especially apparent when respondents were asked about threats posed by the political confrontations, violent extremism and instability in the north. This shows that women in Kosovo are more concerned about the lack of internal stability in Kosovo compare to men.Finally, the KSB noticed differences in opinions also between the respon-dents from older generation and younger age groups. The results showed that the respondents who were older than 35 years were slighlty more concerned about the national security threats compare to the younger ones. Violent extremism was the only category in which older and younger generations of respondents shared identical views.
INDICATORS K-ALBANIANS K-SERBS OTHERS FEMALE MALE ABOVE 35 YEARS OLD
FROM 18 TO 35YEARS OLD
Corruption
Organized Crime
Unemployment
Political Confortations
Violent Extremism
Instability in the North
Natural Hazards
91%
89%
90%
76%76%
78%
49%
77%
74%
62%
47%56%
35%
17%
91%
70%
91%
61%57%
65%
48%
92%
90%
92%
80%80%
81%
51%
88%
86%
83%
66%66%
68%
42%
91%
89%
91%
77%74%
77%
51%
88%
86%
84%
69%74%
71%
41%
Figure 2.3. Citizen’s perception on close ended question related to main threats posed towards Kosovo national security: Percentage of threat perceived based on the ethnicity, gender and age of the respondents (KSB2017)
28
29
SOURCES1. KOSOVO BAROMETER SURVEY (KSB) 2017 EDITION, CONDUCTED BY KOSOVAR CENTRE FOR SECURITY STUDIES (KCSS): PERIOD, 5TH TO 11TH OCTOBER 2017
2. KOSOVO BAROMETER SURVEY (KSB) 2016 EDITION, CONDUCTED BY KOSOVAR CENTRE FOR SECURITY STUDIES (KCSS): PERIOD, OCTOBER 2016
Katalogimi në botim – (CIP) Biblioteka Kombëtare e Kosovës“Pjetër Bogdani”
351.746.1(496.51)(048) Kosovo Security Barometer : seventh edition / Mentor Vrajolli. – Prishtinë : Kosovar Center for Security Studie, 2018. - 28 f. : ilsutr. me ngjyra ; 21 cm. ISBN 978-9951-679-71-8
WWW.QKSS.ORG
