The Gunpowder Chronicles Condemns the Reckless Rhetoric Endangering a British-Based Journalist
Berisha incites, Zeka amplifies, and both openly dehumanise a working journalist, language that, in this region’s history, has repeatedly preceded real violence. This escalation is dangerous.
The Gunpowder Chronicles expresses its deepest alarm and strongest condemnation at the escalating campaign of public incitement, defamation, and targeted intimidation directed against our Chief Editor, Vudi Xhymshiti, by former Kosovo MP Hisen Berisha and political operator Milaim Zeka.
This escalation represents a direct violation of international norms on the safety of journalists, including Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)4, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the OSCE Ministerial Decision on Safety of Journalists, the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, and the UNESCO guidelines on preventing incitement against media actors.
It also constitutes the kind of public vilification the Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalism identifies as a precursor to violence against journalists.
Incitement by Former MP Hisen Berisha
