In honor of the victims of the genocide, to affirm truth and justice, and to convey a message of peace, the ceremony was organized by former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo Emilja Rexhepi. During the event, a seven-minute documentary dedicated to the Srebrenica massacre was also shown.

Rexhepi described this massacre as a symbol of one of the gravest crimes in Europe after the Second World War, stressing that genocide cannot be relativized or consigned to oblivion.

“Srebrenica is not simply a place on the map of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Srebrenica is the name of Europe’s greatest shame after the Second World War. It is the place where one human being killed another simply because he belonged to a different faith. Simply because he had a different name. Simply because he prayed to a different God, as they know how to say. It is the place where children were left without fathers, women without husbands, mothers without sons, while the whole world watched in silence as thousands upon thousands of people were being killed. And gentlemen, this is not merely a tragedy, nor some mistake, nor, as some know how to say, some unfortunate coincidence. This was genocide committed by their Serbian neighbors. Planned, organized and carried out systematically, confirmed by the decisions of international courts,” Rexhepi said.

She further stressed that even three decades after this crime, genocide denial continues, underlining that silence in the face of this tragedy is not acceptable.

Acting President Albulena Haxhiu said that Kosovo stands with Bosnia and Herzegovina and the families of the victims, emphasizing that truth is a condition for both justice and peace.

“We support their right to justice, to remembrance, and to a future in which the victims and their families are not forced to endlessly prove the crime, the loss, and the truth that the courts have already established. Without truth there can be neither justice nor peace. International justice for the crimes committed in Srebrenica has convicted eighty people. What remains to be judged today is the willingness of societies and institutions to break away from the legacy of crime. When convicted criminals are presented as heroes, not only is the past distorted. A message is sent to younger generations that crime can be justified, that the victim can be forgotten, and that responsibility can be turned into pride. This is unacceptable for any society that seeks peace, but also democracy. May the memory of the victims of the genocide be eternal,” Haxhiu said.

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti also delivered the message that genocide denial does not harm only the past, but also puts the future at risk.

“Denial distances the perpetrators from responsibility, forces victims to endlessly prove their pain, and presents justice as an obstacle to stability. In reality, stability is endangered precisely when societies do not distance themselves from those who killed in their name. Serbia’s responsibility for Srebrenica cannot be closed with silence, nor replaced with general language about reconciliation. The genocide was not an accidental deviation in the course of history, but the consequence of a policy that turned nationalism into a project, propaganda into preparation for violence, and the state apparatus into an instrument of ethnic cleansing,” Kurti said.

The ceremony was also attended by Xhemal Smajiq, a member of the Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to him, commemorating the Srebrenica genocide shows that the danger remains present whenever crimes are denied and ideologies of hatred and division are not stopped.

“Our obligation is not only to remember the victims, but also to build a society in which such evil will never happen again. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo share the experience of the struggle for peace, freedom and the security of their citizens. Our two countries are connected by human, historical and political ties, but above all by the understanding of how important it is to respect international law and democratic values,” Smajiq said.

On the other hand, Albanian member of the Serbian Assembly Shaip Kamberi said that resolutions proposed for years in the Serbian Assembly to condemn the genocide in Srebrenica have not even been allowed to be discussed.

“Even today, 34 years later, Serbia has not made the necessary break from this policy. Denial of genocide, relativization of the decisions of international courts, and the glorification of war criminals continue to be part of public and political discourse in Serbia. This is not only irresponsibility toward the victims, it is a serious obstacle to reconciliation, stability and the European perspective of the region. For this reason, for years, together with the SDA deputies from Sandžak, I have proposed in the Serbian Parliament a resolution condemning the crime and genocide in Srebrenica. Discussion has never been allowed. But refusing debate does not change the truth. Genocide remains genocide, and the truth cannot be denied by silence,” Kamberi said.

The Srebrenica genocide, carried out in July 1995, has been recognized as genocide by international courts. More than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb forces, while July 11 is now marked internationally as a day of remembrance for the victims of this crime.

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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”.

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NASA estimates that approximately 58,870 buildings were damaged or destroyed, causing serious problems for housing and infrastructure.

The World Health Organization has also expressed concern about the risk of epidemics spreading, as systems for registering missing persons and victims are inadequate.

The many problems in the healthcare system, water and sewage networks, combined with the forced displacement of populations, could encourage outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, diphtheria and whooping cough.

Media reports say that the World Food Programme is seeking $50 million in aid, while the international community has mobilized by sending 40 rescue teams, and the United States announced financial assistance of $300 million.

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He announced that the victims were Xhemajl Mustafaj and his son, Hasan, from the village of Maznik.

“With deep sorrow, I received the news of the tragic passing of Xhemajl Mustafaj and his son, Hasan, from the village of Maznik.

On my behalf and on behalf of the Municipality of Deçan, I extend my most sincere condolences to the Mustafaj family, their relatives, and all the residents of Maznik.”

“In these difficult moments, we share your pain and pray that you find the strength to cope with this great loss. May the memory of Xhemajl and Hasan Mustafaj be eternal,” Ramosaj wrote.

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According to the announcement, the largest number of cases handled were related to domestic violence. Of the 50 new cases in total, 46 were cases of domestic violence, two cases of sexual assault, one case of aggravated attempted murder, and one case of violation of family obligations.

In the same period, victim advocates submitted to the court five requests for protection orders, 15 requests for emergency protection orders, one request to amend a protection order, one request for withdrawal, and two requests to terminate a protection order.

Also during this week, two claims for damages, two complaints, and six other submissions were filed.

The data show that 57 court hearings and 12 hearings at the prosecution office were held during the week. In this period, 16 rulings were approved, one ruling was rejected, while another was issued to amend the protection order.

The Office for the Protection and Assistance of Victims also announced that in this period, four guilty verdicts and one acquittal were issued.

Meanwhile, victim advocates carried out one case representation at the police and another at a shelter, and also referred one case to the Free Legal Aid Agency and one case to the Center for Social Work.

During the reporting week, a total of 43 legal consultations were provided to victims who sought support and legal assistance.

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Through a post on Facebook, Islami recalled that until 1999, Odalović was a senior part of Slobodan Milošević’s criminal regime, where he served as President of the Kosovo District with headquarters in Pristina.

“After the withdrawal of Serbian forces, he continued his political career in Belgrade,” Islami wrote.

According to him, Odalović’s involvement in the process of handling the issue of missing persons since 2006 has consistently been accompanied by tensions and obstacles in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, due to repeated objections from Kosovo institutions.

In his reaction, Islami accuses Odalović of leading an aggressive campaign based on two main directions.

He says the first direction is linked to efforts to justify and deny the war crimes committed against Albanian civilians.

“Today, Odalović continues to lead an aggressive campaign based on two dangerous directions: Justifying war crimes: He tries to publicly deny the massacres of Albanian civilians. Recently, commenting on the arrest of five suspects in the case known as ‘Recak Two,’ he called law enforcement ‘pressure on Serbs’ and threatened that this is ‘a message for the expelled.’ He aims to manipulate the international factor by portraying local Serbs as being threatened by Albanians, in order to hide Serbia’s state responsibility and to obstruct their integration. Kosovo institutions remain determined in their demand for justice and the clarification of the fate of all the missing, refusing to allow this humanitarian file to be held hostage by figures who served the Milošević regime,” Islami wrote.

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She explained that this decision is part of the institutional commitment to ensure the continuous and efficient functioning of the mechanisms responsible for handling and supporting victims of crime.

During the Government meeting, Gërvalla-Schwarz stated: “Reflecting our commitment to respecting the rights of victims and guaranteeing the institutional support to which they are entitled, we have taken the necessary step of appointing the Commission for the Compensation of Crime Victims. We are mindful of the importance of implementing laws in the field of justice and the need for the uninterrupted and efficient functioning of institutions that serve to protect citizens and their rights.”

She also stressed that justice institutions must act professionally and in full coordination so that every citizen has equal access to justice and to the support mechanisms provided by law.

She went on to say: “The Ministry of Justice remains committed to ensuring transparency, professionalism and full inter-institutional coordination in carrying out its responsibilities. This process is part of our vision for a justice system that is reliable, fair and equal for all, where victims’ rights are protected and guaranteed in practice, not only on paper.”

Speaking about the significance of this decision, Gërvalla-Schwarz underlined that the establishment and operationalization of the Commission for the Compensation of Crime Victims helps preserve constitutional standards and ensure the full implementation of legislation.

She concluded: “This action aims to preserve constitutional standards and ensure the proper implementation of the law and legislation in force. Through this commission, we are strengthening the institutional mechanisms that guarantee fair treatment and support for victims of crime, demonstrating our commitment to a justice system that serves citizens with responsibility and integrity.”

The appointment of the Commission for the Compensation of Crime Victims is being regarded as an important step toward advancing the protection of victims’ rights and strengthening citizens’ trust in justice institutions.

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