From the Reçak Memorial Complex, President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani stated that the massacre of 45 civilians stands as clear evidence of Serbia’s intent to eradicate the Albanian population from Kosovo.
After paying tribute to the victims, President Osmani emphasized that the pain caused by the Reçak Massacre remains as fresh today as it was 27 years ago, noting that Serbia has never been punished for this crime or many others committed during the war. She stressed that Serbia continues to pursue the same mindset and policies, including the denial of the Reçak Massacre, which she described as a crime in itself.
“On this 27th anniversary of the Reçak Massacre, we once again remember the victims of this horrific crime, which clearly demonstrated the exterminationist intent of the genocidal Serbian regime of the time. Reçak and its wounds still speak today, because the pain is just as fresh as it was 27 years ago. The pain is fresh for the families, but it is also fresh for the entire people of Kosovo, because there is still no justice for the crimes committed here and across the Republic of Kosovo,” Osmani said.
She further underlined that Serbia’s continued denial of the massacre represents a double crime, adding:
“Even after 27 years, Serbia continues with the same policies and the same mentality, because the denial of crime—such as the denial of the Reçak Massacre—is a double crime.”
President Osmani also highlighted that the foundations of the state of Kosovo are strong, built upon the sacrifice of martyrs and fallen fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
“We will continue to defend the truth not only in Kosovo, but everywhere in the world. As Ambassador William Walker testified, what happened here was a crime against humanity, committed against innocent civilians, and clear proof that the Serbian regime sought to wipe the Albanian people of Kosovo from the face of the earth,” she stated.
Osmani concluded by emphasizing that Kosovo today enjoys freedom, independence, and democracy across its entire territory because of the sacrifices made by the martyrs of Reçak and the KLA fallen, who gave their lives so future generations could live in freedom.
