Prishtina, 29 August, 2024
After the table organized as part of the state agenda to mark the International Day for Persons Disappeared by Violence, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the meeting to discuss the draft methodology of the Institute for Crimes Committed During the War in Kosovo, for the documentation and research of war crimes.
In his introductory speech, Prime Minister Kurti emphasized the operationalization of the Institute of Crimes Committed During the War in Kosovo for the documentation of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocidal actions of Serbia, as a result of which we have 1595 people who disappeared violently during the war lastly.
“Therefore, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is working with dedication for the truth and justice for all the crimes committed during the war in Kosovo, for the preservation and maintenance of the collective memory, and for the implementation of the State Strategy for transitional justice”, said the Prime Minister.
The methodology presented today, according to the Prime Minister, represents an integrated and comprehensive approach, so that every step of the process meets the highest professional and ethical standards. He added that beyond being a technical document, it is the way to illuminate the truth about all the crimes committed by Serbia during the war in Kosovo.
Meanwhile, Atdhe Hetemi, Executive Director of the Institute for War Crimes in Kosovo, before the presentation of the draft methodology for the documentation and investigation of war crimes, made a summary of the work done since the beginning of the work of the IKKL, as and the regulation for the functioning of the Institute.
“Thanks to the cooperation with the relevant actors from February 17, 2024, the Institute has managed to collect a significant amount of materials, namely 93 meters long with archival documentation, which have been collected so far from 31 different donors, among them the municipalities of of Kosovo, local and regional institutions and organizations. Also private collectors, such as local, regional and international photographers who have submitted thousands of photographs, thousands of hours of audio and video recordings that testify to the crimes committed during the war in Kosovo”.
Thanking the director of IKKL, Atdhe Hetemi, and the Working Group for their commitment and contribution, the Prime Minister said that the documentation of war crimes also serves as important evidence for future generations, helps prevent the repetition of crimes in the future, but and building a fairer and more peaceful society.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Mr. Atdhe Hetemi, Executive Director of the Institute of Crimes Committed During the War in Kosovo,
Dear Mr. Arsim Bajrami, from the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo,
Dear Ms. Teuta Shala, Director of the Institute of History,
Dear Mr. Bislim Bislimi, Director of the State Agency of Archives of Kosovo,
Dear Professor Arben Hajrullahu from the University of Pristina,
Dear Ms. Leonora Selmani, Chairperson of the Governmental Commission for the Recognition and Verification of the Status of Persons Raped During the War,
Dear representatives of the Governmental Commission for Disappeared Persons during the war, headed by Mr. Andin Hoti,
Dear representatives of the Directorate of War Crimes Investigation in the Kosovo Police and representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office,
Dear representatives of various institutions and organizations,
Dear members of the Working Group for the design of the Institute’s methodology,
Dear attendees, ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to this consultative meeting, which is also an important step in our joint work for the documentation and research of the crimes committed during the last war in Kosovo.
I am here behind the table organized within the state agenda for marking the International Day for Persons Disappeared by Violence. We still have 1,595 people forcibly disappeared during the last war, that is, hundreds of families who continue to live with the constant pain and anxiety of waiting.
The Republic of Kosovo will not stop until the truth is revealed. Therefore, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is working with dedication for the truth and justice for all the crimes committed during the war in Kosovo, for the preservation and maintenance of the collective memory, and for the implementation of the State Strategy for transitional justice.
For the documentation of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocidal actions of Serbia, we have operationalized the Institute of Crimes Committed During the War in Kosovo and today we will discuss the first draft of the methodology that will guide this important and sensitive process.
The methodology that will be presented to us today represents an integrated and comprehensive approach, so that every step of the process meets the highest professional and ethical standards. Beyond being a technical document, this is the way to illuminate the truth about all the crimes committed by Serbia during the war in Kosovo.
So beyond a technical task, it is a moral obligation to those who have suffered and sacrificed for the freedom and liberation of Kosovo.
Therefore, today’s meeting is also an opportunity to cooperate for the institutionalization, protection and preservation of collective memory. For the documentation of war crimes that serves as important evidence for future generations, it helps to prevent the repetition of crimes in the future, but also to build a fairer and more peaceful society. We welcome your input in shaping this important document and in fulfilling our common goal of truth and justice.
I thank you for your presence and dedication to the process. I congratulate director Atdhe Hetemi and the Working Group for their commitment and contribution, and I look forward to the following discussions.
Thank you!
Last modified: August 30, 2024