Prishtina, 29 November, 2022
The commitment of the Government to address the crimes committed during the war in Kosovo and the initiatives for transitional justice, were the topics of the meeting of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, with Fabian Salvioli, Special Rapporteur of the United Nations for the promotion of truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-repetition.
Mr. Salvioli expressed gratitude for the cooperation shown by the Government and institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, and expressed solidarity with the victims and the people of Kosovo.
Prime Minister Kurti emphasized the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to deal with the past and for justice. He said that we need rehabilitation and restoration of justice for victims and survivors, as it is very difficult for families to continue living normally despite their losses and suffering.
He singled out some of the initiatives of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, such as the establishment of the Institute for crimes committed during the war, the drafting of the National Strategy for Transitional Justice, as well as the strengthening of the Department of War Crimes in the Special Prosecutor’s Office of Kosovo. He also spoke about the changes made to the Code of Criminal Procedure which enable trials in absentia for war crimes cases, given that most of the perpetrators of war crimes in Kosovo are in Serbia, and Serbia refuses to hand them over justice.
Prime Minister Kurti emphasized the issue of those who disappeared violently during the war and the families who live in pain and anxiety, not knowing the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones. He reiterated the necessity of opening the state archives in Serbia, since the crimes committed in Kosovo were crimes committed by the state of Serbia.
Last modified: November 29, 2022