Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo have different views on and expectations of the Special Court. Serbs doubt the final justice would be served and are not content with the fact that not all the crimes against the Serbs have become part of the court’s mandate, while Albanians think the court is unjust as it would prosecute KLA members only. These are the conclusions of a research presented by Pristina-based non-governmental organization Integra, Radio kontakt plus reports.
Could existence of the Special Court as a fifth institution dealing with the war crimes in Kosovo, following The Hague Tribunal, UNMIK, EULEX and the Kosovo judiciary bring response to Desanka Pejcinovic from Pec? For the last 20 years, she has been seeking justice for her kidnapped 18-years old son.
“I expect nothing, I expect the worst for us. That file about my son is somewhere in a box or a drawer. There is no progress, but I hope for the truth,” Desanka said.
Same as her, many other families are waiting for the justice for their beloved ones, however the trust in the Special Court differs.
The Integra research indicates that 45 percent of Serb respondents think that the Court mandate is fair, 41 percent of Serb respondents think the court would not bring the justice to the victims, while 82 percent of Serb respondents do not believe witnesses will be protected. The Serb respondents are also worried that the crimes such as the murder of children in Gorazdevac or the attack on the Nis-Express bus in which 12 Serbs lost their lives remain outside of the Court’s mandate.
On the other side 76 percent of Kosovo Albanian respondents think it is injustice to prosecute members of KLA only and that the Court did not include the crimes of the Serbs against the Albanians.
Kushtrim Koliqi from Integra said citizens are not well informed about the court and political manipulation is present as well.
“The Special Court is neither present in Kosovo nor in Serbia in order to constantly inform, educate citizens, and in this way fight against political manipulations, since the entire Special Court discourse in Kosovo is created by politicians,” he noted.
It was also said, it remains concerning that 17 former KLA members have been interviewed so far, but there are no indictments yet.
Former Serbian Special War Crimes Prosecutor Vladimir Vukcevic thinks this court “is the last moment for the justice for the victims and that he is an optimist in this regard.”
