The Presidency of Kosovo announced on January 25, 2025, that President Vjosa Osmani is working on establishing the Presidential Commission for Transitional Justice. This initiative emerges as part of Kosovo’s Transitional Justice Strategy, approved by the government last year, addressing unresolved issues from the 1998-1999 conflict.
Purpose of the Commission
The commission aims to:
- Document and verify facts about human rights violations during the war.
- Restore dignity to victims and raise public awareness.
- Promote social transformation through truth-telling and reconciliation.
- Publish a comprehensive report on its findings by the end of its mandate.
Historical Context and Challenges
More than 25 years after the war, Kosovo still lacks an official, comprehensive report on wartime crimes. Over 13,000 civilians were killed, and 1,612 individuals remain missing, according to the Red Cross. Efforts for justice and reconciliation have faced significant obstacles:
- Previous institutions, like the Institute for Research of War Crimes, failed to yield substantial results before being dissolved.
- Initiatives like the Commission for Truth and Reconciliation proposed in 2017 under President Hashim Thaçi stalled after his indictment in The Hague.
Inclusivity and International Support
President Osmani emphasized collaboration with victims’ groups, civil society, and international organizations. Experts like Bekim Blakaj from the Humanitarian Law Center stressed the importance of inclusivity, ensuring the participation of ethnic minorities, including Serbs and Roma.
The commission also plans to hold public hearings and awareness campaigns to foster engagement from all affected communities, making its findings credible and widely accepted.
Broader Goals of Transitional Justice
As defined by the International Center for Transitional Justice, the key objectives include:
- Accountability through trials and investigations.
- Reparations for victims.
- Institutional reform to prevent future violations.
- Reconciliation through truth-telling mechanisms.
A Step Toward Reconciliation
If executed effectively, this commission could serve as a transformative tool for Kosovo, helping to address lingering issues such as impunity for war crimes and ethnic divisions while laying the groundwork for lasting peace and democracy.
Kosovo now stands at a critical juncture, with hopes that the Presidential Commission for Transitional Justice will pave the way for truth, justice, and reconciliation.
