UNMIK/PR/1221
PRISTINA – The SRSG, Mr. Søren Jessen-Petersen, calls for action in an appeal to all individuals and organisations on the International Day of the Disappeared. He strongly urges all concerned with missing persons’ issues, as well as civil society and the international community, to establish the fate and whereabouts of missing persons. This call is made as countries affected by forced disappearance around the world recall the terrible suffering caused by this unlawful action.
Mr. Jessen-Petersen emphasised that families have a right to know the fate of their loved ones. He said that addressing the issue of missing persons is critical to the stability of the region and rendering of justice in a scourge that has affected people of all ethnicities.
“Approximately 3,000 people are missing in Kosovo. Where are they? UNMIK believes far more should be done to shed light on the fate of missing persons. All those involved in issues relating to missing persons must speak with one voice to exert pressure at every level so that the process of identification is accelerated. It is clear that not enough is being done to ease the suffering of the affected families,” SRSG Jessen-Petersen said.
The SRSG calls:
- On all those involved in this tragic issue to hasten the process in order that the tremendous suffering of the affected families is not prolonged.
- For the process of transferring mortal remains to be accelerated.
- For collective action and exchange of information and the enhanced cooperation of every organisation and individual involved in the missing persons’ operation, to establish the fate and whereabouts of approximately 3,000 persons missing in Kosovo.
- Urges the international community to assist in discovering the fate of those who disappeared. The suffering of the affected families must be lessened.