15/12/2015
Kosovar Centre for Security Studies, today, 15th of december 2015, has launched the findings of the survey “Kosovo Security Barometer – Fifth Edition”. Even this year, this report summarizes the results of respondents' perceptions regarding the publics trust, towards security and justice institutions in Kosovo, the citizen's opinions toward the challenges and threats of national security including internal and external threats.
By excluding the KIA and to some extent the PSC, security institutions appear to be more reliable. Respectively, 69% of respondents said they believe KSF which also represents the highest level of reliability from all institutions measured. KFOR appears to be the second institution in Kosovo trusted by 67%. The surprise this year is that the credibility of the KP has increased by 10% from 45% in 2014 to 55% now in 2015. . While, with 43% the credibility of the CPI turns out to be quite satisfying. 35% of respondents indicated that they believe the PSC, while only 13% indicated that they believe the KIA, which shows that citizens still retain prejudice being caused to the institution as a result of scandals rumored by the last management. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that, KP with 58% turned out to be the most contacted institution by citizens, and, with 3% KIA proved to be the institution less contacted by citizens, both these results can be regarded as positive, given the mandate these institutions have.
The credibility of the institutions of justice proved to be extremely low. Respectively, 54% of respondents said they do not trust EULEX, whom already core competencies has in the field of justice, which it’s even worse when comparing to the courts (51%) or to the prosecution (41%) . However, the situation is even more critical when it comes to reliability of citizens towards the Assembly and Government of Kosovo. The results showed that citizens see security institutions being less corrupt, while the judiciary and the executive as more corrupt. Accordingly, institutions non-corrupt in the eyes of the respondents were KSF, followed by KP, while most corrupt proved to be the Government of Kosovo and the courts followed closely by the Prosecution and Municipalities.
KSB 2015 results, also shows that 88% of respondents are in favor of the transformation of the KSF in Kosovo Armed Force (KAF). As regards to the KFOR, most respondents agreed that the mission should continue to stay in Kosovo for 3 to 5 years ahead, related to the transfer of powers to the Armed Forces mission to Kosovo. Meanwhile, when it comes to EULEX majority of respondents thought that this mission should end their mandate in the near future, respectively about 36% stated that this mission already should have finish its mandate, while over 13% said they this mission should leave Kosovo next year.
In terms of risk and internal threats main complicating national security of Kosovo citizens have estimated that four more disturbing: unemployment (97%), corruption (95%), organized crime (92%) and lack of Political stability with 90%. Citizens once again reaffirm that so far state institutions have taken little steps to reduce the level of corruption in Kosovo and expressed concern that there is a lack of sufficient government to increase accountability of state officials to undermine not only growth, but also the security situation in the country and good governance. Similarly, they assessed that the institutions have shown poor performance in the fight against organized crime in Kosovo. Perceptions of political instability are affected by the current stalemate and the recent developments in the Assembly. Isolation is considered a risk for 77% of respondents referring to the establishment of refusal is only contributing to the increase of migration and asylum. Instability in northern Kosovo for 70% of the respondents has a high potential challenge to destabilize the security situation in Kosovo.
Regarding external risks and threats, the main external threat to national security is Islamic State (ISIS), for 76% of respondents, followed by Serbia which continues to be perceived as a foreign security challenge for 66% of respondents. The global economy (recession, the decline of remittance) are perceived as a security threat for another 63% of respondents.
Perceptions presented in this report are a summary of information gathered from respondents and it only demonstrates how people percept institutions. It is in no way a conclusive assessment of the quality of the work of institutions subject to this study.
This survey was conducted during the second half of October 2015 through face to face interviews with households in Kosovo. National sample included 1,070 households / respondents and represents the opinions of citizens aged over 18 years including all communities living in Kosovo.
