UNMIK (Kosovo): Statement During Briefing
Kenya's national statement, delivered by Amb. Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative
I thank you SRSG Zahir Tanin for his briefing.
Kenya commends the United Nations Mission in Kosovo for its efforts to promote security, stability and respect for human rights in Kosovo and in the region in line with its mandate. We note in this regard that UNMIK has had constructive engagement with Pristina and Belgrade, all communities in Kosovo, and regional and international actors.
Kenya welcomes the meetings held over the summer between Belgrade and Pristina, including, the 15th June high-level talks between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. This is important because it is only through sustained dialogue that the normalization of relations between the two parties can be achieved.
Social media is an increasingly important means of communication across the demographic spectrum and particularly among the youthful population. Unfortunately, its use in the spread of incitement and hate speech globally is well documented.
Kenya welcomes the pilot initiative by UNMIK to monitor incitement to hatred and hate speech on social and online media. Such initiative, if objectively driven, has the potential to help to developing strategies to effectively counter hate speech.
Kenya intends to hold an Arria formula meeting later this month on "Addressing And Countering Hate Speech And Preventing Incitement To Discrimination Hostility And Violence On Social Media". The objective of the meeting will be for the Security Council to have a keener appreciation of the ways that hate speech and incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence in conflict situations is spread through social media with a view to evolving provide a way forward in improving both the responses of the private sector and the Security Council to hate speech and incitement in conflict situations.
Kenya commends the participation of women and young people in decision-making processes and cross-community dialogue.
I echo the call in the Secretary General's report for the provision of an enabling environment for the safe, dignified, and sustainable return and reintegration of all internally displaced persons and returnees into Kosovo society.
As I conclude, I reiterate the need for the parties to be consistent in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and constructively engage in the Dialogue in order to make swift progress on comprehensive normalisation of their relations.
I thank you.