On the 26th anniversary of the Reçak massacre, German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jörn Rohde, emphasized the importance of acknowledging the tragic events that occurred in Reçak. He stated that denying these crimes disrespects the memory of the victims, keeps wounds open, and hinders progress toward regional reconciliation and European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
What happened in Recak is a fact!
And the crimes that happened are well reported, i.e. by UN + OSCE bodies.
Denying these crimes disrespects the memory of the dead, keeps wounds open and hinders progress towards regional reconciliation and European and Euro-Atlantic integration. pic.twitter.com/rnfZpVlY6E
— Ambassador Jörn Rohde (@GermanAmbKOS) January 15, 2025
The Reçak massacre, which took place 26 years ago, involved the brutal killing of 45 unarmed ethnic Albanians. This atrocity shocked the international community and was later cited as a catalyst for NATO’s intervention in Kosovo. Ambassador Rohde’s statement underscores the ongoing need for truth and reconciliation in the region.
In his message, Ambassador Rohde highlighted that the events in Reçak are well-documented by international bodies such as the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). He stressed that denying these crimes not only disrespects the memory of the deceased but also impedes the healing process and the advancement of regional cooperation and integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures.
The German Ambassador’s remarks serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of confronting historical injustices to foster a more peaceful and cooperative future in the Balkans.
