This year, Kosovo completed investigations at 32 locations suspected of containing missing persons from the 1998–1999 conflict. Human remains were found at 16 sites, nothing was found at 15 sites, and one site was deemed not in the public interest, according to the Government Commission for Missing Persons, which presented its Annual Report.
However, a major challenge continues to be Serbia’s non-cooperation, as it refuses to provide credible information or open archives related to mass graves in Kosovo.
Andin Hoti, Chairman of the Commission, noted that Serbia has backtracked on previously agreed terms of reference:
“We continue to face challenges in clarifying the fate of missing persons. The main challenge remains Serbia’s unwillingness to provide credible information or access to archives, despite repeated requests in Brussels, as well as in bilateral and multilateral meetings. Although we reached two agreements in Brussels — one in 2023 on the declaration of missing persons and the joint commission formed at the end of 2024 — Serbia refused participation three times when the EU summoned them in January, June, and September of this year.
Now Serbia regrets these agreements and seeks to revise the 2024 terms of reference. They are attempting to remove the clause requiring that the process leader must notify 27 member states of non-cooperation or refusal to provide information, which would allow them to avoid responsibility. We have not agreed to this and will continue to pressure Serbia to open classified archives, which are believed to contain information about over 1,571 missing persons still unaccounted for today.”
Another challenge was the excavation at Kozhle, where Serbia only allowed the work after sustained pressure from Kosovo. Hoti explained that Serbia has now halted the excavation, citing technical incapacity while refusing Kosovo’s offer to assist.
“In Serbia, after continuous pressure, we finally reached a location in Kozhle, but new challenges emerged. Serbia stopped work two to three times, claiming lack of technical capacity. For this year, they have definitively halted work and have not set a date to resume.
I have also noted that the site contains over 15 meters of waste deposited since 1999, covering the potential mass grave. Removing this waste requires work and willingness that we do not see from the Serbian side. We are not allowed to provide technical support,” Hoti said.
