February 9, 2012
534 Lexime
Italian Embassy in Pristina is theatrically denying my visa request to Italy. I currently have a Hungarian visa to enter Hungary in case there’s an eruption of the social unrest. On the other side, I need to obtain an Italian entry visa, so I can work on my Long-Term Documentary Photography project, aiming to realize a feature photo story for the substantial matter of the Italian Church “Madonna Dei Bisognosi”, which is located in Pereto, L’Aquilla in Italy.
Pristina, KOSOVO – by Vedat XhymshitiThursday, February 9, 2012 – Independent Journalist
I have requested the Italian Church authorities to aproove my request, so I can approach to the Italian Church “Madonna Dei Bisognosi”. The approval arrived on time in my e-mail address, approved by its Rettore Giancarlo Marinucci, but I have no clue what’s the problem of the Italian embassy authorities in Pristina.
I told them I need an official journalistic visa. But, Mr. Dimitri, a high stature man at his 60s, with gray hair and paunchy man, never heard my words, while constantly intervene with a negative sense of tone, trying to tell me that Italy does not provide a job for me. This old paunchy man, who is suppose to be the chief in charge for the visa issues at the Italian embassy in Pristina, told me he should contact the Italian Association of Journalists, while I’ve shown him my International Press Card issued by the European Federation of Journalists who’s member is also the IAJ.
Some strange scrutiny is being developed with this case. They are also interpreting the approval of the Church authorities as an invitation, while it is just an approval and trying to screw me with comments of: “That’s not an invitation, but its just an approval”, something I for sure knew.
They called the priest of the Church and told him it’s not an invitation, something that priest knows also. So far I have contacted the church authorities via phone, and they were very angry. They told me that Italian embassy authorities in Pristina called the Church authorities asking them, if the church authorities are aware that I might be a criminal, as well as could Church authorities have been sure, that I was not a criminal.
Excuse me, who the hell think is Mr. Dimitri or who ever by the Italian embassy concluded for me a freelance journalist based in Pristina might be a criminal addicted or involved?
FUNNY WAY TO VERIFY MY PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
Italian officials in Pristina, asked me to possibly print my work, wherever it is published and send it to them printed, so they can be convinced that I am a journalist. However, it seems like they are not very happy to recognize also, the IFJ/EFJ (International/European Federation of Journalists) Press Card, which was attached to the e-mail ([email protected], as well as at [email protected]).
Moreover, they don’t recognize even the agencies where my work is being published, those links I have also sent them via e-mail where they, could view my work.
So strange requests and extremely non-sense!!!
WHO IS INVOLVED? WHAT’S THE AIM OF THIS?
They keep insisted today to send to them my bank account report (I will do it), but they als
o want me to send to them a printed copy of my work, and Healthcare Insurance. The problem is that Health Insurance companies in Kosovo don’t cover health issues outside Kosovo so, why do I have to pay an un-received service?
o want me to send to them a printed copy of my work, and Healthcare Insurance. The problem is that Health Insurance companies in Kosovo don’t cover health issues outside Kosovo so, why do I have to pay an un-received service?
What’s the result over this issue? I believe and already am convinced that with these kinds of alleged embassy officials, I will never obtain a visa entry to Italy. But, this tells us that the Italian authorities are endangering seriously the freedom of movement regarding to the Human Rights bill of the EU.
However, I believe that also behind this case, it is the country’s politics involved, which is constantly trying to use all practicable means, to force me run off from my activity of independent and politically uncontrollable journalism.
So, I urge APJK (Association of Professional Journalists of Kosovo), IFJ/EFJ (International/European Federation of Journalists), SEEMO (South East European Media Organization), RSF (Reporters Sans Frontiers) to react in this case, rise up the voice and condemn those acts and individuals who are involved as well as engaged to violate and oppress, the press freedom of movement, which this time is ‘erupted’ by the Italian authorities in Pristina.
As well as urging and encouraging the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry, to conduct a serious investigation over the indecent behavior of the Italian alleged embassy officials in Pristina, with special emphasis on issuing visa department.
