Prishtina, 12 September, 2024
The conference was held to launch the report on the long-term consequences of war rapes in Kosovo, “I am not to blame for what happened to me”, a joint activity of the women’s association, “Medica Gjakova” and the association “Medica Mondiale”.
The study documents the profound and long-term psychological, physical and social consequences of wartime sexual violence, ranging from complex post-traumatic stress disorders and depression, headaches and fatigue, to mistrust and increased fear, thus shaping the lives of to those who are still affected 25 years after the experience of violence.
In this event of particular importance, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, also participated, who said that in Kosovo, during the years 1998 – ’99, sexual violence was used as a weapon of war by Serbia. A tool of war that has left deep and widespread consequences for the individual, the family and the whole people and society, therefore, it belongs to all of us to address these war crimes, so that we can stop the destructive effect of this weapon in society.
For sharing their stories and experiences in the report that was launched today, Prime Minister Kurti expressed a heartfelt thank you to the survivors, saying that we are deeply grateful for their endurance and courage during these 25 years since the end of the war. . The Republic of Kosovo stands by the survivors of sexual violence during the war, committed to institutional support, for addressing all crimes committed during the war in Kosovo.
“In our efforts to address the wounds of the past and build a fairer future for all our citizens, we are taking steps forward together. For the first time after the end of the war, the Republic of Kosovo has a Strategy for Transitional Justice”, the Prime Minister emphasized.
Continuing his speech, he said that we are committed to handling with professionalism, integrity and sensitivity the process of documenting the crimes committed during the war, making it known that we have already functionalized the Institute of crimes committed during the war in Kosovo, that has a gender-sensitive approach to documentation and research methodology.
“Recognizing the immeasurable pain and suffering of women and girls, boys and men, survivors of sexual violence during the war, we have declared April 14 the Memorial Day of survivors of sexual violence during the last war in Kosovo”, he further said. .
At the end of his address at this conference, the prime minister thanked the organizations “Medica Gjakova” and “Medica Mondiale” for the recommendations summarized in this study report so important for the long-term effects of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo.
“We are together in our goal and commitment to a society where all survivors can find justice, healing and peace,” he added.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Honorable Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Albulena Haxhiu,
Dear Mrs. Monika Hauser, founder and chairwoman of the Medica Mondiale Board,
Dear Mrs. Mirlinda Sada, Executive Director of Medica Gjakova,
Dear representatives of civil society institutions and organizations,
Survivors and girlfriends of survivors of sexual violence during the war,
Dear human rights activists,
ladies and gentlemen,
Dear attendees
The wars of the 99s in the former Yugoslavia left behind a lot of destruction and suffering. One of the most shocking and inhumane crimes was the use of sexual violence as a deliberate strategy to humiliate and intimidate and divide families and communities. In silence and social exclusion, the survivors of these crimes became the driving force for important changes in international justice, for the recognition and punishment of this war crime.
In Kosovo, during the years 1998-99, sexual violence was used as a weapon of war by Serbia. A tool of war that has left deep and widespread consequences for the individual, the family and the entire nation and society.
Therefore, it belongs to all of us to address these war crimes, so that we can stop the destructive effect of this weapon on society.
Continuing, whether publicly or anonymously, survivors are still pushing for change and shaping support for all those women and men whose voices are not heard.
A heartfelt thank you to the survivors who shared their stories and experiences in the report that was launched today. We are deeply grateful to them for their endurance and courage during these 25 years since the end of the war.
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
The Republic of Kosovo stands by the survivors of sexual violence during the war, committed to institutional support, for addressing all crimes committed during the war in Kosovo.
In our efforts to address the wounds of the past and build a fairer future for all our citizens, we are moving forward together. For the first time after the end of the war, the Republic of Kosovo has a Transitional Justice Strategy.
The implementation of this strategy requires support from all of us. Therefore, I express my gratitude for everyone’s contribution to the drafting and consultation process, and I welcome the cooperation in this very important process for all of us in the present but also for the future of our country.
We are committed to handling the process of documenting crimes committed during the war with professionalism, integrity and sensitivity. We have already operationalized the Institute of crimes committed during the war in Kosovo, which has a gender-sensitive approach to documentation and research methodology.
Recognizing the immeasurable pain and suffering of women and girls, boys and men, survivors of sexual violence during the war, we have declared April 14 Memorial Day of the survivors of sexual violence during the last war in Kosovo.
We are glad of the cooperation of authorized organizations with the Governmental Commission for the Recognition and Verification of the Status of Victims of Sexual Violence during the Liberation War of Kosovo. The government will continue financial support for the four organizations, to facilitate as much as possible the process of survivors’ application for status recognition.
We are grateful for the cooperation in this very complex and sensitive process, to always have the victim in the center. Thank you to “Medica Gjakova” and “Medica Mondiale” for the recommendations summarized in this very important study report on the long-term effects of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo.
Among other things, this study elaborates on the importance of support from the family, organizations, media and institutions. From here, we again call for solidarity from families and society. It is our common obligation to support the survivors. To encourage them to break the silence about this war crime. To always be their strong voice and strong arm, for deserved justice.
Unconditional institutional and societal support is necessary to remove the silence surrounding this crime.
We are united in our goal and commitment to a society where all survivors can find justice, healing and peace.
Last modified: September 13, 2024