“In five excavation sites in Serbia, more than 900 war victims are suspected to be buried.”
More than 25 years have passed since the armed conflict in Kosovo, yet families of 1,643 missing persons are still waiting for answers. The Government Commission for Missing Persons in Kosovo has criticized Serbia for not opening its archives, which are crucial for identifying the fate of the disappeared.
One of the primary demands from the Kosovo side remains access to a list of 16 mass graves in Serbia, confirmed since 2001. Kushtrim Gara, from the Government Commission for Missing Persons, emphasizes that current efforts are focused on locations in Serbia. Recently, the team has highlighted five mass grave sites, where over 900 war victims are believed to be buried.
Gara explained that solving cases of forced disappearances has been a priority over the past 25 years, with around 73% of the initial over 6,000 cases now resolved. Nevertheless, the process remains painful for affected families and the broader society, as the search continues until all missing persons are accounted for.
The lack of cooperation from Serbia, particularly in providing reliable information, poses significant challenges. Despite numerous meetings, Serbian authorities have refused to share key archival data. Gara points out that, during this year alone, nine regional and bilateral meetings have been held, yet Serbia has shown no willingness to take necessary measures or share crucial information.
Discoveries and Excavations
Within the first half of the year, five excavation sites were identified in Kosovo, yielding remains in all cases. However, efforts to conduct similar excavations in Serbia have faced obstacles. Gara mentioned that one key demand is the release of detailed information on 16 mass grave sites, of which investigations have focused on five, with over 900 victims buried in these locations.
Further, Gara noted that 19 locations within Kosovo have been excavated, all resulting in the discovery of human remains. Overall, nearly 2,800 locations have been explored in Kosovo. The significant challenge continues to be sites within Serbian territory, where more work and cooperation are needed to bring closure to affected families.
