Paklek, July 13, 2024
Albin Kurti, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, attended the book promotion event for the monograph on the Paklek massacre, titled “House with Blood on the Walls,” authored by Afrim Hysenaj, held at the museum house of the massacre in Drenas.
Recalling April 17, 1999, Prime Minister Kurti stated that on that spring evening he was attacked by the armed criminal and terrorist forces of Serbia, who killed 53 unarmed Albanian civilians, ranging from 75-year-olds to 6-month-old babies, as well as pregnant women.
“The title of this book, which has brought us back here to the house with blood on the walls, originates from the blood flow of that crime,” stated Prime Minister Kurti, further mentioning that this book compiles the experiences of survivors, witnesses, and memories of family members, highlighting that memories of the deceased are also kept within this museum-house of the Muqolli family, institutionalized with the support of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.”
During his speech, Prime Minister Kurti also brought up the Serbian project “Patkoi” for the extermination of Albanians, as well as the Serbian state’s attempts to cover up genocidal crimes by burning the bodies of the deceased.
“Those collected ashes, that common grave is evidence of Serbia’s genocide against the Albanian people of Kosovo. It is also a call for justice. This book, too, is shaped by the demands of family for justice,” the Prime Minister expressed.
From Paklek of Drenas, where to this day the walls are stained with the blood of the slain, Prime Minister Kurti urged for the other pillar of power in Kosovo, the justice system, to seek justice for the war victims, to commence proceedings, bring charges, investigate matters, and convict war criminals even in their absence.
The Prime Minister stated that the actions that have brought us together today serve as a tribute to the deceased and a reminder to the living about the importance of historical memory and the essentiality of justice.
“The atrocities of war are not foreseen just as the sufferings, pains, and losses of the Muqolli family from Paklek, Caraku from Dritani (formerly Dobroshevci), Elshani from Lower Korrotica, and Hoxha from Upper Korrotica are not erased from memory,” concluded his statement, Prime Minister Kurti.
Prime Minister Kurti’s full speech:
Honorable Ms. Saranda Bogujevci, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo,
Honorable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Mr. Hajrulla Çeku,
Honorable members of the Assembly of the Republic,
Honorable mayor of the Municipality of Drenas, Ramiz Lladrovci,
Honorable Ms. Elhame Muqolli,
Honorable Ms. Teuta Elshani,
Honorable Mr. Fadil Muqolli,
Honorable family members of the Muqolli, Elshani, Caraku and Hoxha families,
Honorable survivors and witnesses of the April 17 massacre,
Honorable author of the monograph Mr. Afrim Hysenaj,
Honorable editor Mr. Berat Dakaj,
Honorable Mr. Shaqir Cervadiku and Mr. Mahmut Ferati,
Honorable former political prisoners, my fellow inmates, Nait Hasani, Bislim Zogaj, Enver Dugolli and others,
Ladies and gentleman,
Dear sisters and brothers,
It was a Saturday, much like today, April 17, 1999. That spring afternoon was bloodied by the criminal and terrorist armed forces of Serbia. They killed 53 unarmed Albanian civilians, from 75 years old to 6-month-old baby Liria to pregnant women. The title of this book, which has brought us back to the house with blood on the walls, is derived from the bloodshed of that crime.
This book compiles the experiences of survivors, witnesses, and memories of family members. The memories of those killed are also preserved inside this house museum of the Muqolli family, museumized with the institutional support of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.
Here in the historic Paklek, as it’s known by the locals, the wounds are profound. The Serbian state, which was implementing the Serbian Great Plan for the extermination of Albanians called “Patkoi”, tried to cover up the genocidal crime by burning the bodies of the victims.
Those collected ashes, that common grave is evidence of Serbia’s genocide against the Albanian people of Kosovo. It is also a call for justice. This book, too, is shaped by the demands of family members for justice.
Today, we also call for the other pillar of power in Kosovo, the justice system, to work for justice for the war victims. In May, it has been five years since the Assembly of the Republic enabled the justice system to initiate processes, file charges, examine cases and punish war criminals even when they are absent. To pursue war criminals wherever they are, not just within our borders.
The Prime Minister stated that the book that has brought us together today serves as a tribute to the deceased and a reminder to the living about the importance of historical memory and the essentiality of justice.
The atrocities of war are not foreseen just as the sufferings, pains, and losses of the Muqolli family from Paklek, Caraku from Dritani (formerly Dobroshevci), Elshani from Lower Korrotica, and Hoxha from Upper Korrotica are not erased from memory.
The memory of the people’s great sacrifice for freedom is eternal.
May the memory of those killed in Paklek of Drenica be everlasting!
Glory!
Last modified: July 26, 2024