UNMIK has stressed that the process of determining the fate of people who remain missing from the conflict in Kosovo must be carried out comprehensively, in line with human rights, with the victims and their families at the center.
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On the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK, Peter Due, said that, despite significant progress, many families still face pain and uncertainty over the fate of their relatives.
“The issue of missing persons must not be politicized under any circumstances. Significant results are achieved through cooperation, trust and a shared commitment to giving families the answers they are entitled to,” Due was quoted as saying in a statement.
According to UNMIK, more than 1,500 people have remained missing since the end of the conflict in Kosovo. The recent discovery of human remains in Zubin Potok, believed to belong to at least 23 individuals, shows that even after decades of waiting, information about their fate can come to light.
“We stand with all the families who have waited so long to learn the truth about the fate of their relatives, and we call for their rights and needs to guide these efforts. UNMIK will continue to provide psychological support and other forms of assistance to these families,” SRSG Due said.
He also stressed that this year’s International Day theme is “Victims First. Act Now.”
Due called for the full implementation of the EU Declaration on Missing Persons, continued engagement within the framework of the ICRC-led Working Group on Missing Persons, and intensified joint efforts between Belgrade and Pristina to locate and identify missing persons.
This year’s commemoration also marks the 20th anniversary of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 20, 2006.
UNMIK said it would continue to support the families of missing persons in their efforts to exercise their right to know the fate and whereabouts of their relatives, in accordance with international human rights standards.
