Organizations and civil society activists urge the Ministry of Culture to urgently begin the restoration of the building in question, so that it can be saved and reused and to bring back to citizens a highly significant monument, the house of Xhafer Deva.

The group of organizations and civil society activists listed for the protection of the house of Xhafer Deva in Mitrovica

JOINT DECLARATION

The group of organizations and civil society activists listed for the protection of the house of Xhafer Deva in Mitrovica, with concern received the information that municipal authorities in Mitrovica have decided to demolish the Cultural Heritage Monument of Kosovo- the House of Xhafer Deva. This monument was built in 1930 and represents a building with high artistic and architectural values and a collective memory of the city of Mitrovica.

Representatives of this group, on 24th of November 2016, contacted the municipal authorities of Mitrovica and were informed that on July 8, 2016, the municipal inspectorate, in signed minutes gave the option of "rehabilitation or demolition of the house", with the justification that "the building is threatened by itself dilapidation". Consequently, on July 12, 2016, the Inspection Department had taken the decision to demolish the building (Decision no. 05NR354 / 50117).

Further, municipal authorities report that, after contacting the Regional Cultural Heritage Centre in Mitrovica, were informed that the Ministry of Culture has allocated the budget for the restoration of this building. After that, the Inspection Department of Mitrovica has also issued a new Decision (Decision no. 05NR354 / 86868), which revokes the previous decision of demolition.

Municipal authorities of Mitrovica also informed that, despite the revocation of the decision for demolition, the endangered condition of the building and allocated fund, the Ministry of Culture still has done nothing for the restoration of the building, despite the fact that the Ministry of Culture is the responsible authority for the preservation of monuments of culture and the management body of public budget allocated for restoration.

Regarding this, the Group of organizations and civil society activists listed for the protection of the House of Xhafer Deva, express their concern for unjustified delays, which may result in the deterioration of the already endangered building.

Therefore, this group, urges the Ministry of Culture to urgently begin the restoration of the building in question, so that it can be saved, reused and a very significant monument, the house of Xhafer Deva to be returned to citizens.

To act today, because tomorrow will be too late!

Prishtina, 26 November 2016

The group of organizations and civil society activists listed for the protection of the House of Xhafer Deva in Mitrovica:

1. CHwB Kosova
2. Valdete Idrizi – Civil society activist
3. NGO MUNDËSIA
4. Community Building Mitrovica (CBM)
5. Me dorë në zemër
6. 7 Arte
7. Selvie Kurti – Civil society activist
8. Ardiana Osmani – Civil society activist
9. Mitrovica Rock School
10. Bridge Film Fest
11. Besa Luzha – Civil society activist
12. KËSHILLI PËR PAQE DHE TOLERANCË “CPT”, Mitrovica
13. Bekim Ismali – Civil society activist
14. NGO “EKOSISTEMI” Gjilan
15. Kosovo Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims –QKRMT
16. NGO ETEA
17. NGO KONSUMATORI
18. Organisation Integra
19. Institute for the Advancement of Education
20. NGO THY
21. EC MA NDRYSHE
22. ESTA Kosova
23. Organisation SHKRM
24. Albanian Numismatic Society “Demastion”
25. Varg e Vi
26. Center of Musical Art DAM
27. Foundation ARSKOSOVA
28. Foundation Lumbardhi
29. NGO Syrgjyni 
30. Cultural Forum
31. RrOK Prizren
32. X40 Bunar Fest
33. Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina
34. Anibar
35. Community Development Fund (CDF)
36. Shtëpia e Shokëve
37. NORMA
38. Syri i Vizionit
39. ANP Gjilan
40. Developing Together
41. Dora Dorës
42. NGO Lady
43. Beyond the Rainbow
44. Erblin Ajdini – Civil society activist
45. Center for Urban Studies “URBANIAK”
46. Center for Education and Community Development – Friends
47. Kosova ARS
48. Futja Ngjyrë
49. Program for Civil Rights in Kosovo (CRP/K)
50. Organisation Gratë në Biznes
51. CSSP
52. Valët e Paqes
53. Sot drejtë të Ardhmes