Claims of a mass grave in Pasuljanske Livade bring the fate of Kosovo’s missing back into focus

Natasha Kandiq, founder of the Humanitarian Law Center, has brought one of the most sensitive issues of the post-war period in Kosovo back into the spotlight by speaking about the possibility that a mass grave exists in Pasuljanske Livade.

These statements have once again raised questions about the fate of those who were forcibly disappeared, as well as about the responsibility authorities bear for fully uncovering the truth.

If the claims in question are confirmed, this would be a development of extraordinary importance for families who have spent more than two decades waiting to learn what happened to their loved ones.

In this situation, the question arises as to what steps Kosovo’s institutions should take to demand concrete investigations and ensure access to locations considered suspicious.

At the same time, the question also remains open as to whether the international community should increase pressure on Serbia to help clarify the fate of the war victims and identify possible mass graves.

Ministry of Justice and Commission on Missing Persons offer no response

The newspaper “Bota sot” contacted the Ministry of Justice to obtain a position regarding Natasha Kandiq’s statements about the possible existence of a mass grave in Pasuljanske Livade, in Serbia. But by the time this article was published, the Ministry of Justice had not agreed to comment on these claims.

On the same issue, “Bota sot” also sought answers from the Government Commission on Missing Persons. However, by the time of publication, this Commission had also not responded to the newspaper’s request for comment.

A full investigation is demanded into claims of a mass grave in Serbia and greater international pressure to clarify the fate of war victims in Kosovo

Security expert Fidair Berisha, in a statement to “Bota sot” on this issue, says that any new information that could help shed light on the fate of persons who went missing during the war in Kosovo must be treated with the utmost seriousness.

“Personally, I believe that any new information that could help clarify the fate of missing persons from 1999 until today should be treated with maximum seriousness. If there are claims of a mass grave in Pasuljanske Livade, Kosovo’s institutions should react immediately through official state mechanisms, requesting a full investigation and cooperation with international institutions and the relevant authorities in Serbia,” Berisha says.

According to Berisha, following Natasha Kandiq’s statement, in which she mentioned the possibility of the existence of a mass grave in Pasuljanske Livade, even greater involvement from the international community is required.

“The issue of missing persons is not only a political issue, but above all a humanitarian and human rights issue. Therefore, when such claims are made even by Serbian citizens, greater international pressure is needed to open archives, investigate every suspected location, and ensure that no information remains unused or unexamined in detail,” he says.

He underlines that the families of missing persons have waited for more than two decades and deserve to know the truth.

“For families who have spent more than two decades waiting to know the fate of their loved ones, the truth has been delayed far too long and there is no longer any reason for it to be postponed. The families of the missing are deeply disappointed and deserve justice, answers, and dignity. Society, and especially institutions, have an obligation to do everything possible until the very last missing person is found,” security expert Fidair Berisha concludes for “Bota sot”.