Pristina, February 5, 2025
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has recently sent an official letter to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, on the “Night of Terror” and the forced expulsion of Albanians, 25 years later.
In this letter, the prime minister writes: “This merciless operation resulted in the killing of 10 Albanian citizens, including children, women and the elderly, leaving 25 others injured. Subsequently, 1,664 Albanian families, almost 12 thousand people, were forcibly expelled from their homes. As we approach the 25th anniversary of this tragic event, I am obliged to draw your attention to this grave injustice that occurred during this period and which remains unaddressed.
He added that the forced expulsion, and in many cases the occupation of homes by Serb families, was part of a deliberate strategy to change the demographic composition of the northern part of Mitrovica. Although a quarter of a century has passed, many of the people expelled have still not returned to their homes, and the perpetrators of these terrible acts have not yet faced justice.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister wrote that a comprehensive investigation is necessary to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the killings, attacks and forced expulsion.
“I trust that you will give this urgent matter the attention it deserves. Confronting this injustice is not only a moral obligation, but also a critical step towards genuine reconciliation and lasting peace.”
Complete letter addressed by Prime Minister Kurti:
Excellency, High Representative Kallas,
In June 1999, NATO’s intervention put an end to Serbia’s brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Kosovo. This systematic barbarity left behind immense death and destruction, including the killing of more than 13,000 people, including 1,133 children; committing 400 massacres; horrific acts of sexual violence against over 20,000 victims, both women and men; and the enforced disappearance of more than 6,000 individuals.
While the scars of this atrocity were still fresh and the smell of burning houses lingered in the air, another horrific event took place north of Mitrovica.
On the evening of 3-4 February 2000, known as the “night of terror”, Serbian armed groups carried out a coordinated campaign aimed at ethnic cleansing of Albanians from the northern part of Mitrovica, where the French KFOR contingent was tasked with ensuring the security and protection of all communities.
This ruthless operation resulted in the killing of 10 Albanian citizens, including children, women and the elderly, and left 25 others injured. Then, 1,664 Albanian families, almost 12 thousand people, were forcibly expelled from their homes.
As we approach the 25th anniversary of this tragic event, I am compelled to draw your attention to this grave injustice, which occurred during this period and which remains unaddressed.
The forced expulsion and in many cases the occupation of homes by Serb families was part of a deliberate strategy to change the demographic composition of northern Mitrovica. Even though a quarter of a century has passed, many of those expelled have still not returned to their homes, and the perpetrators of these horrific acts have yet to face justice.
While the Government is working to ensure that all those who wish to return, from all ethnic communities, can do so safely and that their homes are rebuilt, this dark chapter in our history has never been properly addressed.
Given these facts, a comprehensive investigation is essential to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the killings, attacks and forced expulsion.
I trust that you will give this urgent matter the attention it deserves. Confronting this injustice is not only a moral obligation, but also a critical step towards genuine reconciliation and lasting peace.
Sincerely,
Albin Kurti
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo
Last modified: February 6, 2025