Humanitarian Law Center Communique

Demand for immediate release of ethnic Albanian
minors, wounded, sick, and women from prison

10 October 1999

The 2,000 ethnic Albanian convicts and detainees currently in prisons in Serbia include 25 minors, 11 women, about 200 wounded, and some 50 sick. Three women are under indictment for criminal offenses in connection with the armed conflict in Kosovo. Four months ago, Igbale Xhafaj (20) from Miraš, Uroševac Township, gave birth to a baby boy at the Pozarevac prison. The Humanitarian Law Center was unable to determine the whereabouts of Zoja Rexhaj from Jablanica village, Pec Township, although her name is on the list released by the Serbian Ministry of Justice of prisoners who were relocated to Serbia in June 1999. 

The minors include: two 13-year-old boys, Ekrem Nebihi (born 14 September 1986 in Glogovac) and Hazir Topali (born 4 March 1986 in Banjica, Glogovac Township); three 14-year-olds, Faton Halilaj (born 25 July 1985 in Trdevc, Glogovac Township), Fjame Topali (born February 1985 in Banjica, Glogovac Township), and Shemsi Muzliu (born 26 January 1985 in Strubllove, Glogovac Township; four 15-year-olds, Albert Nebihu, Hysni Barjaktari, Burim Deliu, Elmaz Elshani, Skender Heta and Sabri Musliu; nine 16-year-olds, Xhevat Podvorica, Muhamet Arllati, Kushrtim Halilaj, Haxhi Haxhiqi, Pleurat Isufi, Zejnullah Qorri, Jeton Heta, Jeset Hoti and Fidin Dervishaj; and six 17-year-olds, Blerim Juniku, Sali Hoxha, Hasim Dukaj, Agron Rexhaj, Belim Istogu and Kujtim Shkambi. 

The wounded now in the prisons at Sremska Mitrovica, Zabela and Niš were injured in the 19-23 May period in the Dubrava prison in Kosovo. Convicts who have in the meantime been released and were in the Dubrava prison in the cited period, state that some ethnic Albanians were killed and wounded in the NATO bombing of the facility but allege that Serbian security forces subsequently killed about 100 and wounded some 200 Albanian prisoners. 

The Humanitarian Law Center considers that minors, wounded, sick and women must have priority in the process of the release or handing over to the UN Mission in Kosovo of ethnic Albanian prisoners and detainees. Their immediate release is above all required on humanitarian grounds and is not subject to political debate.