Halbjahresbericht der
         Menschenrechtsorganisation
         KMDLNJ / CDHRF Prishtina
         Januar bis Juni 1998

         Semi-annual report:
                      January-June 1998
 

     1.HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION IN THE COURSE OF JANUARY-JULY,l998

     The half year of l998 marks the darkest chapter ever written in the history of Kosova. We dare say this because for the last 50 years the death toll is beyond every expectation. There can be no say on human rights and freedoms any more, as the mere existence of the Albanians is endangered. The mass killings of unarmed civilians have become a widespread phenomenon. The law of war as well as humanitarian law are not given due respect. During this period, Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedom has compiled a list with the names of 416 killed or massacred Albanians. We are very much convinced that the number of the killed is considered to be much higher, as many are buried by the police as unidentified persons (N.N.).and mass graves.
     Serbian law enforcement authorities do not give access to Albanian physicians to conduct the post mortem of the killed in order to identify them and to ascertain the cause of death. Apart from this, they refused investigation by international groups of physicians. Furthermore, there are many cases when corpses have remained unburied for days (as it was the case in the villages of Deçan, Klina, etc. or they were buried by police order without being identified. This leads us to believe that those kidnapped or missing are summarily executed by police.
     Apart from this, Serbian police, military and paramilitary forces accompanied by armed Serbian civilians have kidnapped, arrested, raided, looted, burned and ill-treated hundreds of the Albanians regardless of age and gender.
     The majority of the killed were non-combatants. The Bosnia syndrome, the burning of the houses and the ethnic cleansing is being repeated time and again in Kosova.

     EXTRAJUDICIARY EXECUTIONS AND MASSACRES IN KOSOVA

     Mass killings of the Albanian population started in village Likoshan, the district of Gllogoc, and Qirez, the district of Skënderaj. On 28 February, there were clashes in Drenica. The combined attack of the Serbian forces lasted 24 hours. A large number of policemen, paramilitaries and soldiers were engaged in these fighting. Heavy weaponry and helicopters were used. During these operations in the villages of Drenica, the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs established an "air bridge" between Belgrade and its bases in Kosova. Reinforcements were brought by helicopters which strafed over the Albanian villages.
     Due to this police attack, 24 Albanians were killed and massacred, 10 of whom belong to the Ahmetaj family. They were killed and massacred in their house yards. The killed ranged from the age 16-70. Policemen went into the house of Ahmetaj family of 36 members, and forced all, men, women and children to lie down on the ground. Then, they started to beat and torture all of them, not sparing the women and children. Men were separated, taken out of the yard, beaten up, massacred and executed one by one in the most barbaric way known so far. It was very hard to identify the dead bodies by the relatives due to the fact that most of the bodies were mutilated.
     On 5 March 1998, at about 5.00 a.m., Serbian police forces, undertook an attack against the villages of: Prekaz i Poshtëm, Llausha, Polac, Marina, Vojnika and Rakinica, the district of Skënderaj. The attack with the gravest consequences was that against the village of Prekaz i Poshtëm. As an aftermath, 46 people were killed and massacred. On 8 March, at about 11.30 p.m., the corpses of the 46 killed were brought in front of Health Care Centre in Skënderaj. Among the killed, 15 were children aged between 7 and 16, and 17 were women. There were elderly up to the age of 74 among the massacred. Police buried all identified and unidentified victims on 10 March, preventing the examination of the bodies and preventing the funeral.
     After the very same massacre, armoured vehicles leveled to the ground the ruins of the houses of Jasharaj and Lushtaku families in order to hide the perpetrated crime. This quarter is still under the siege of Serbian police forces. Since 5 March, there are no information on the whereabouts of 6 members of the family of Sadik Jashari and their two relatives, who are believed to have been stuck in the basement of their house, which was destroyed and burned by artillery. During the very same period, the Ammunition Plant in Skënderaj was turned into a concentration camp, where Albanians were subjected to inhuman torture and shortly after  massacred.
     Military-police offensive against the villages in the districts of Deçan and Peja, which began on 25 May, resulted with the extrajudiciary execution of 7 members of Hamza family, one of Gogaj-Cacaj family and one of the Delimetaj family in Lubeniq near Peja.
     In his statement given to Sub-CDHRF in Deçan regarding the very same case, Ardeshir Gogaj (26), wounded by the Serbian forces in Lubeniq, said: Quote "At about 12.30 p.m., after several shots, we saw Serbian army and police from Peja heading for Deçan. They entered the village of Lubeniq and beat women, children, elderly and adults. Then, they went into the house of Shaban Husku, where 10 citizens from Deçan had hidden. They took women and children and lined them up to execute them. We could see what Serbian army was doing to them. They came and took us out in the yard. They lined us up to execute us and opened fire towards us. My brother Haxhi Mehmet Goga (24) was killed, whereas I was wounded. Later on, I went towards the place called "Zagërlla", where I saw many killed, about 29. On the way to the mosque, I saw many killed and wounded near-by the house of Ramë Huskaj. I saw that Zeqë Misini and his two sons were killed. As I was wounded, I could not go further, so I went back home, where my brother's corpse was. Then, I passed out and I have no idea what happened later on. Once again, I point out that I have seen tens of killed and wounded that remained on the fields, as well as that tens of houses were ruined and burned. Our villages have become ruins!" Unquote.
     During this very same attack, Serbian forces shelled tens of houses in the villages of Carrabreg and Lubeniq.
     On 31 May, at about 1.30 p.m., Serbian forces, after an incident that had happened in the vicinity of the village of Poklek i Ri, attacked the inhabitants and massacred Ardian Haxhi Deliu (18), Ahmet Berisha (40), Sefer Qorri (55), Sahit Qorri (55), Hajriz Hajdini (45), Fidaim Nazmi Berisha (1981), Muhamet Hajdini (about 50), Blerim Shishani and 3 other unidentified Albanians. Except for Ardian's body, which was in the vicinity of his house, other bodies were seen to be loaded in a police lorry and their whereabouts are unknown eversince. Their families suspect that killed and massacred bodies were buried in a mass grave or were burned by the police. A native, who witnessed the massacre and a brother of one of the massacred, stated to the Sub-CDHRF in Gllogoc that he had seen blood stains and vital organs of the massacred on the spot, which were removed by the police later on.
     It is believed that Serbian forces have perpetrated such executions in other places in Kosova, such as: the villages of Klina, Gjakova, Skënderaj, Deçan, Rahovec, etc.      According to information from our field associates, many villages were destroyed to the ground due to shelling.

 
     INVOLUNTARY DISPLACEMENT OF THE KOSOVIAN POPULATION

     As an aftermath of the Serbian aggression, hundreds of thousands Albanians were forced to flee their homes. During the very same period, the number of the displaced persons is at least 300.000, among whom a number of Serbs, Muslims, Montenegrins and Romas.
     It is very difficult to describe what the displaced people had to endure. They had to travel for more than 100 hours under constant gun fire, in cold weather and with their little children in their arms. Due to the iron blockade of the roads leading to these regions, the situation is very grave. There is a lack of food and drugs. Therefore, there is danger from a spread of epidemics. The movement of the citizens has reduced due to the fear of the Serbian snipers. CDHRF fears that a humanitarian disaster threatens the very same regions.
     It is estimated that 26.500 Albanians have taken shelter in Albania. These displaced people were settled in private houses in the following places: Tropoja, Bajram Curr, Kukës, Durrës, Shkozet, Shkallnor, Rrëshbull, Golem, Shën Llësh, Lezha, Mamuras, Laq, Fier, Kavaja, Tirana and Shkodra.
     In Montenegro, about 21.800 Albanians were settled in Ulqin, Hot, Gruda, Plava, Gusia and Rozhaja.
     In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, over 5000 Albanians were settled in Shkup, Tetova, Dibra, Gostivar and places around.
     According to some unconfirmed information, over 600 Albanians have taken shelter in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the very same period (28.02.1998 until 20.07.198), more than 16.500 Kosovar Albanians fled to the European countries.
     Over 285.000 people have moved to safer regions. The displaced people are mainly from the districts of Skënderaj, Gllogoc, Klina, Deçan, Peja, Gjakova, Vushtrri, Lipjan and Ferizaj.
     Due to the ethnic cleansing in the period February-July 1998, the material losses are estimated to DM 1.7 billion.

     ARBITRARY ARRESTS IN SERBIAN PRISONS END UP IN DEATH

     In the semi-annual period of 1998, some Serbian Run Courts in Peja, Prizren, Mitrovica, Prishtina and the one in Nish have initiated investigative proceedings against many Albanians, charged of being members or collaborators of the KLA. What happens to the Albanians in prison can be best shown with the case of Rexhep Bislimi (32), an activist of the Sub-CDHRF in Ferizaj and a former political prisoner. He died on 22 July in Prishtina hospital. The late was arrested on 6 July and after the ill-treatment suffered, he was taken to the hospital. His ribs were broken and his body was all in bruises. According to the available data, the detainees undergo brutal torture in order to make self-incriminating statements.
     Very often, police take the detainees to their homes with some hidden weapons just to fabricate stories allegedly they had had weapons with them. Such was the case of Xhevat Haziri, chairman of the Sub-CDHRF in Vitia. Police had kidnapped him. A few days later, he was taken to his house. Police went to his workshop and found the weapons, which they had previously planted there. They took photos of the weapons, which allegedly were in possession to Xhevat. It is to be stressed that the members of the Council, even in their headquarter office, feel insecure. Due to their activity, they are imprisoned, sentenced, searched, summoned for informative talks, physically and psychologically tortured, etc.
     How far the Serbian regime is ready to go is best shown by the case of Destan Rukiqi, a lawyer and member of the CDHRF Board. He was sentenced to 60 days and immediately sent to serve his prison term. The truth is that Mr. Rukiqi is very much engaged in defending Albanian political prisoners and is an activist for the defence of human rights and freedoms. CDHRF has available information that all political prisoners were transferred to prisons in Serbia. Therefore, CDHRF is deeply concerned about their fate. The reaction of the international community so far against the criminal acts of the Serbian regime is very weak and in a way it encourages Serbian law enforcement authorities.

     PEACEFUL STUDENTS' PROTESTS

     During the months of March, April and May, peaceful protests against the Serbian massacre exerted on the Albanian population were held all over Kosova. Hundreds of peaceful protestors, mainly pupils and students, were subjected to ill-treatment by Serbian police and civilians. They suffered severe body injuries, such as: broken legs, broken ribs, head injuries, etc. (CDHRF possesses photos and medical reports).
     Such was the case of the professors with the Faculty of Philosophy in Prishtina. On 10 June 1998, while professors were in a meeting, eight armed policemen, without any given pretext, entered the building. Insulting them on a national ground, policemen beat with truncheons and kicked all participants, among whom professors up to the age of 65 and women. Some professors suffered body injuries, their limbs were broken and due to this, they had to seek for medical assistance.
     For seven years now, Albanian pupils and students are not allowed to attend their lectures in school facilities. Therefore, the educational process continues to be conducted in the premises, which were made available for the purpose, such as: private houses, basements, etc.

     THE MEDICAL AND HUMANITARIAN WORKERS TARGET OF THE POLICE

     The detention, disappearance and the ill-treatment of the medical and humanitarian personnel in Kosova has intensified since January 1998. A large number of physicians and humanitarian activists disappeared, were arrested and ill-treated.
     Hafir Shala, a physician and an activist of the Charitable ë Humanitarian Association "Mother Theresa", was arrested by the security inspectors several months ago and his whereabouts are unknown eversince.
     Dr. Fehmi Vula (55), a surgeon with the Health Care Centre in Gjakova, was arrested on 1 June 1998. He is facing penal charges for "hostile activity" pursuant to art.136, par.125, of the Penal Code, as he offered medical assistance to the wounded people.
     Three humanitarian activists: Mrs.Mevlyde Saraqi from Gjakova, mother of five; Ms.Zahrije Podrimçaku, an activist of the Sub-CDHRF in Gllogoc; and Ms.Fatime Boshnjaku from Gjakova, mother of one, are still in pre-trial detention at the prison of Lipjan. These activists and others are under investigation proceedings and are facing the charges for hostile activity pursuant to Art.136, Par.125 of the Penal Code.
 

     LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN KOSOVA

     Our field associates inform us that the situation in the districts of Rahovec and Deçan is very dramatic one. On 20 July in Rahovec, the situation is very grave. Many killed and massacred are in the streets of Rahovec. Many women, children and elderly, who had taken shelter in the She Mihidini's masjid, were massacred in the most barbaric way. Serbian military-police and paramilitary forces executed the following: Xhemajl Rama, Qemajl, Faik, Eqrem and Nesim Sylka, Haxhi Sharku and Baki Shehu. Then, their bodies were burned beyond recognition.
     So far, CDHRF has compiled a list of the names of 42 Albanians, who were killed and massacred in Rahovec. Many massacred bodies were seen in the streets and hung in the electric pillars. The bodies of the professors Haxhi Sharku and Ali Percaj, as well as 6 other bodies, burned also beyond recognition, were seen at the place called "Tuba". The eye-witnesses that survived this massacre claim that they walked over dead bodies, among whom many bodies of women and children. Five unidentified corpses were seen at the place called "Bllata" near-by the lake. Many houses in this town were burned completely. After this massacre, Serbian forces took hostage tens of Albanians, regardless of age and gender. There have reported many missing people, too. Over 200 Albanians from Rahovec were taken to Prizren, at the fire station next to the police station. There were many wounded among the arrested.
     According to some eye-witnesses, Serbian authorities opened two mass graves in the cemetery of Prizren and buried some corpses in them. The corpses were brought in a lorry of the "Liria" Enterprise in Prizren and two tractors. The buried corpses are of the Albanians killed in Rahovec.
     According to the witnesses' statements given to the Sub-CDHRF in Deçan, on 18.07.1998, Serbian military-police forces perpetrated a massacre on the border zone with Albania. Women and children, who were trying to return to their homes, were massacred. Most of them were from the district of Deçan. The attack started at 2.30 a.m., when a line of 120 people crossed the border at the place called Padesh, at C-2 pyramid. First, two mines exploded and after a minute, shelling and incessant fire from three directions was opened. Dum-dum bullets were used. This happened at the place called Rrasa e Zogut in the vicinity of the mountain huts in Junik. Women and children were on horseback, which fell due to shelling. It is believed that at least 60 Albanians, mainly women and children, were killed. The number of the wounded is much higher.
     But seems not to be the last thing to occur in this region.According to information received from our field associates in Deçan,20 members of yet unidentified family in Junik were summarily executed by Serb forces even the sign in advance was given by them that they had surrended themselves.This wanton killing is another example of human cost violation of the human rights.
 

     HOSTAGE TAKING AND MISSING PERSONS

     Since the beginning of the open conflict in Kosova, at least 400 Albanians were reported missing, were kidnapped or taken hostage by Serbian forces. There were also reported 24 Serbs in the Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms belong to the same category. The whereabouts of the kidnapped are still unknown. Neither the relatives nor the humanitarian organizations can get any information on them. Regardless of the fact that hostage taking is prohibited by Geneva Convention "in any time and in any place", Serb and Yugoslav authorities have never ever respected it.
     Dr.Hafir Shala from the village of Krajkova near Gllogoc, a physician with Health Care Centre in Gllogoc and an activist of Charitable ë Humanitarian Association "Mother Theresa" in Prishtina, was arrested by the Serbian police on 10 April. Two activists were accompanying him. Later on, both were released, whereas Dr.Hafir Shala was kept. His whereabouts are still unknown. Neither his family, nor his lawyer Destan Rukiqi have no information about him.
     Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms is quite aware that these data do not cover all cases that happened in Kosova during the very same period. According to our information, during January-June 1998 period:

     - 416 Albanians were killed, summary executed or massacred;
     - 208 Albanians were wounded;
     - 6687 Albanians were subjected to different ill-treatments;
     - 400 Albanian reported disappeared, kidnapped or taken hostage;
     - 10.000 living and business facilities were destroyed;
     - over 300.000 Albanians are displaced internally and externally;
     - 924 people were arbitrarily arrested;
     - 2445 people were brutally beaten up;
     - 856 Albanians suffered body injuries;
     - 308 families were raided and looted;
     - 291 people were summoned and searched for by police;
     - 689 people underwent routine checking;
     - 101 children were subjected to ill-treatment;
     - 376 women were subjected to ill-treatment;
     - 309 educational, political and human rights activists were subjected to ill-treatment.

     CDHRF assumes that the above mentioned data do not cover all cases of human rights violations. Their number is much higher. It is worth mentioning that the gravest attack were carried out during weekends and it leads us to believe that the very same were silently given consent by the international community.
     CDHRF has monitored the human rights violations in Kosova for some years now and has appealed for undertaking the preventive measures, so that the escalation of the situation would be prevented.
     Now, CDHRF confirms that the fear was reasonable and that in Kosova happened already Vukovar-Deçan, Srebrenica-Rahovec, as well as the ethnic cleansing or whatever we call it.