The parties did not suspend any electoral rallies after the tragic event in Jablanica, where three children lost their lives. The campaign for the February 9 elections continued with the usual speeches, and this was criticized by experts and human rights defenders.

A day after the tragic event, institutional and party leaders consoled the families and held a minute of silence at their gatherings with citizens.

The tragedy in Jablanica occurred on February 1, where three children - aged 13 and 16 - died as a result of the collapse of an uninhabited building.

The country's president did not declare a day of mourning, for which she was criticized by various personalities. The Presidency did not respond to KosovaPress as to why they did not take such action.

"We have considered it as an option, but the municipality is not allowed to declare a day of mourning. This is the exclusive right of the president," said the other side from the Municipality of Gjakova.

The Ombudsman Institution has requested the responsible authorities to investigate this case. 

"The Ombudsman has called on the authorities to investigate the causes of the loss of life of three children in the village of Shqiponjë [formerly Jabllanicë] in the municipality of Gjakova, as a result of the collapse of the slab of an uninhabited building. The Ombudsman has requested the responsible authorities to take all necessary measures to clarify this case. The Ombudsman has emphasized that all institutions must take measures to prevent such tragedies, especially keeping in mind the safety and health of children.", the Ombudsman institution told KosovaPress.

The Basic Prosecution Office in Gjakova has initiated the case "Causing general danger" and has stated that all necessary actions are being taken to solve this case.

The Chairman of the Council for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms (KMDLNj), Behgjet Shala, says that political parties should have suspended their election campaigns.

"Only the 'Coalition for the Family' has stopped the campaign, it has done well. However, stopping or not stopping the campaign at this time is a double-edged sword. If someone stops it, they say they are stopping it to win, or if someone does not stop it, they will attack them. So we think that the best solution was for all political parties to sit down and agree that they all stop the campaign at least on the day of their funeral. At the same time, the president, who has the legal responsibility to declare a day of mourning, should have declared a day of mourning today.", declares Shala.

This is not a good message for voters, adds Shala, while emphasizing that the institutions in power must take action.

"Kosovo's institutions are still in power, they have legal obligations, they have the opportunity, but they had to take action. Meanwhile, I think it's time for political entities to sit down, talk, and decide to either suspend their activities for the entire day or for the four hours of the funeral, and not because they will lose anything, because they are not saying something extraordinary, which if they don't say today or tomorrow it loses its value, but they are not doing anything. But this is not serious. They should consider that this could also come back as a boomerang, because voters are outraged by this behavior, both by those in power and by the opposition.", he adds.

Analyst Imer Mushkolaj wrote that "their irresponsibility and insensitivity triumph over tragedies like this one in Jabllanica."

"Three children have died in Jablanica, Gjakova, but political parties continue their rallies as if nothing had happened. Through these rallies, they promise a bright future for the young people, three of whom are not alive today. Suspending party activities for today should have been the most normal action.", wrote Mushkolaj.

Last year, President Vjosa Osmani declared a day of mourning in the country after the murder of two women within a few days. A day of mourning was also declared after the death of writer Ismail Kadare.

Another occasion when there was a day of state mourning was in honor of the policeman killed in the north of the country, Afrim Bunjaku.

A day of mourning was also declared after the earthquake in Turkey, in 2023. /Sh. Pajaziti