In an act of perseverance driven by her father's last wish, Teuta Fazliu, a Serbian citizen of Albanian origin, has brought her case before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The root of her struggle lies in the 'passivization' of her address in Bujanovac, Serbia, a measure that, according to human rights groups, disproportionately affects the Albanian community in the Presevo Valley region.

'Passivization' means that Serbian authorities declare an address as 'inactive' if the person is not found on three visits, which leads to the loss of basic rights, such as renewing identity documents and passports. Fazliu, who claims to have been present at her home, has been facing this situation since 2020, when the Serbian authorities declared her registered address 'inactive'.

This administrative practice, which mainly affects citizens of Albanian ethnicity, has been denounced by organizations such as the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia, which describes it as a form of “ethnic cleansing by administrative means”. The situation is aggravated by preventing access to essential services and the renewal of documents, leading Fazliu to a legal battle that has taken her to Strasbourg. The decision of the Serbian authorities to declare Fazliu's address 'inactive', citing alleged absences, has called into question her rights as a citizen.

Without a registered address, individuals are deprived of basic services and face difficulties renewing essential documents, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and Fazliu's determination to defend her rights and those of her community.

Fazliu's case is framed within a complex historical context, marked by the conflict in Kosovo and the situation of the Albanian minority in Serbia. Her marriage to a Kosovo citizen and her work in monitoring human rights in Kosovo add layers of complexity to the case. Despite having resided in Pristina, Fazliu regularly returned to Bujanovac, where she got married.

The lack of institutional support, including the initial refusal of the Albanian National Council, has further complicated her struggle. Fazliu reports that the Council did not offer help, even when she went to the Constitutional Court. The legal process has been plagued by obstacles, including the refusal of the Serbian Administrative Court and the expiration of her Serbian identity document.

In September 2025, with the pro bono assistance of Kosovar lawyer Drin Grazhdani, Fazliu filed a lawsuit against Serbia at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The court declared the case admissible in January 2026. Grazhdani noted that the lawsuit alleges multiple human rights violations, including the right to private life, family, vote and a fair trial, in addition to discrimination.

Lawyer Grazhdani mentioned relevant precedents, such as the case of Mustafa Kuric and others, who sued Slovenia for similar practices after its independence from Yugoslavia. The admission of the case in Strasbourg represents a hopeful step for Fazliu, who seeks justice and to honor the memory of her father, whose last wish was that she fight for her rights and those of her community.

Fazliu's determination is strengthened by the memory of her father's wish, who urged her to fight for justice, even in the face of adversity. Despite the lack of support from various institutions and the skepticism of her surroundings, Fazliu perseveres in her fight. “My father said: someone must take the first step. I was raised and cultivated in activism. For six years, I was alone, but I want to fulfill my father's will and make him proud,” Fazliu said.

This posthumous wish, added to her commitment to human rights, drives her to move forward, seeking a solution that benefits the Albanian community in Serbia and guarantees respect for their fundamental rights.