Shtime, January 15, 2025
After the tributes at the Memorial Complex in Reçak in the framework of marking the 26th anniversary of the Reçak Massacre, the commemorative academy was held at the House of Culture in Shtime.
“Open graves in the ground, open wounds in the soul, closed scars on the body, closed archives in Belgrade. The crimes committed during the war were not meant to happen, they were not supposed to happen, what should happen, as a result, is justice, trial and punishment of criminals even in absentia. In 1998 and 1999, it was said that the battle ended, but not the war. In relation to Serbia, now the opposite must be said; the war has ended, but not the battle. The war for liberation is over, but not the battle for justice,” the Prime Minister said in his opening remarks.
In commemoration of the 45 civilians killed by Serbian armed forces, Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that they are there to never forget the massacre of January 15, 1999, and to strengthen the memory of the Reçak massacre. He said that the Government has established a Working Group to draft the Design Task for the memorial complex, and has approved the expropriation of properties, for a dignified commemoration of the Reçak Massacre.
At this memorial ceremony, which was organized under the patronage of the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Kurti thanked Ambassador William Walker, to whom, as he said, we are eternally grateful for his humanity and contribution during the most difficult time for our people, he was a witness to the painful history of our people, a symbol of human resilience and moral courage.
Describing Ambassador Walker as a powerful voice for truth and justice, at the time when his statements were official denunciations on behalf of the OSCE Verification Mission against Serbian forces and authorities who were committing crimes against humanity and war crimes against Albanian civilians in Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti expressed his pride that the Government of Kosovo has enabled the publication of Ambassador Walker’s memoirs, with powerful and moving testimony on the horror of the Reçak massacre. According to him, this book is also a bridge that connects generations through historical memory, as well as a legacy for younger generations, so that they can recognize the war we survived and the wounds it left behind.
“Beyond being a historical document, it is also a call for collective memory and for justice,” said the Prime Minister.
Today, at this memorial ceremony, the Prime Minister also commemorated Nusret Shabani, who survived the massacre, as he faced the murder of his 22-year-old son, Bajrush, with rare strength. On this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed that they commemorate his resistance and that of all the families of Reçak, and throughout Kosovo, who gave their most loved ones for the freedom of our country. He added that together we are committed to ensuring that the history of Kosovo and our freedom are always an example of the strength of the people to triumph over injustice.
“May the memory of each life given on our path to the liberation of Kosovo and the freedom of its people be eternal!”, concluded Prime Minister Kurti at the memorial ceremony on the 26th anniversary of the Reçak Massacre.
At this commemorative ceremony, speeches were also delivered by Ambassador William Walker, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, the Mayor of Shtime, Qemajl Aliu, and the Mayor of the village of Reçak, also a representative of the associations that emerged from the KLA war, Adem Ramadani.
Also present at this commemorative academy were deputies from the Assembly of Kosovo, and deputies from the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as many other diplomatic and local institution representatives, ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives of friendly countries accredited in our country, veterans, disabled veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army, and representatives of associations that emerged from the Kosovo liberation war.
The full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Graves in the ground, scars on the body and soul, murderers at large in Serbia.
Open graves in the ground, open wounds on the soul, closed scars on the body, closed archives in Belgrade. The crimes committed during the war were not meant to happen, they were not supposed to happen, what should happen, as a result, is justice, trial and punishment of criminals even in absentia. In 1998 and 1999, it was said that the battle ended, but not the war. In relation to Serbia, now the opposite must be said, the war has ended, but not the battle. The war for liberation has ended, but not the battle for justice.
Honorable President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu,
The Honorable and Beloved Ambassador William Walker,
Dear Families of those Killed in the Reçak Massacre,
The Honorable Children and Descendants of Those Killed in Reçak,
The Honorable Deputy Prime Ministers, Bislimi and Gërvalla,
The Honorable Members of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Representatives of State Institutions,
The Honorable Members of the Federal Republic of Germany,
The Honorable Mayor of the Municipality of Shtime, Mr. Qemajl Aliu,
The Honorable Mayor of the Village of Reçak, Mr. Adem Ramadani,
Excellencies, ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives of friendly countries accredited to our Republic,
Honored veterans and invalids of the Kosovo Liberation Army,
Honored representatives of associations that emerged from the liberation war,
Honored guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Sisters and brothers,
We are in Reçak today, to honor the memory of your 45 family members, innocent and unarmed civilians who were killed, and to renew our commitment to never forget the massacre of January 15, 1999.
With us here is Ambassador William Walker, an ambassador of truth to whom we are eternally grateful for his humanity and contribution during the most difficult time for our people.
Ambassador Walker’s statements were official denunciations on behalf of the OSCE Verification Mission, against Serbian forces and authorities who were committing crimes against humanity and war crimes against Albanian civilians in Kosovo. These reports exposed the brutality that Kosovo was facing and changed the international discourse on the war in our country. The then US President Bill Clinton condemned the killings of 45 Albanians by Serbian forces, while ensuring that NATO troops were ready for action. On March 24, 1999, NATO aircraft began the bombing campaign in Yugoslavia, ending the war in June of that year.
The Government of Kosovo is proud to have enabled the publication of Ambassador Walker’s memoirs, with powerful and moving testimonies on the horror of the Reçak massacre. This book is also a bridge that connects generations through historical memory. It is a legacy for the younger generations, to recognize the war we survived and the scars it left behind. Beyond being a historical document, it is also a call for collective memory and justice.
To strengthen the memory of the Reçak massacre, the Government has established a Working Group to draft the Design Task for the memorial complex, and we have approved the expropriations of properties, for a dignified commemoration of the Reçak Massacre.
Honorable ladies and gentlemen, sisters and brothers,
With us today is not an extraordinary man, a powerful voice for truth and justice. He was a witness to the painful history of our people, a symbol of human resilience and moral courage. On this anniversary, we commemorate Nusret Shabani, who survived the massacre, and who faced the murder of his 22-year-old son, Bajrush, with rare strength. He gave powerful testimony against Slobodan Milosevic at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
Today, we commemorate his resistance and that of all the families of Reçak, and throughout Kosovo, who gave their dearest for the freedom of our country.
The families, people and institutions of Kosovo, together, honor all the human lives that were lost in the murders committed by the fascist regime of Slobodan Milosevic and other Serbian authorities, ordering and executing, not a few of whom are still in power in Serbia. Our Republic and our people are determined that the truth will never be forgotten, never distorted, and that those responsible for the genocide will face justice.
Together, we commit ourselves to making the history of Kosovo and our freedom an example of the strength of the people to triumph over injustice.
Eternal be the memory of each life given on our path to the liberation of Kosovo and the freedom of its people! Glory to the martyrs of the nation!
Last modified: January 16, 2025