REPORT ON THE VIOLATION
         OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND
         FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS
           IN KOSOVA
           DURING MAY 1998
           
 

REPORT ON THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS IN KOSOVA DURING MAY 1998

     More than 300 people, among whom women, children and elderly, were killed; hundreds of people were wounded; more than 200 persons reported disappeared; more than 400 persons are kept hostage; more than 150 persons were detained; at least 100.000 people (30.000 of them left Kosova) fled their homes, among whom Serbs and Montenegrins; more than 100 villages were shelled; over 5000 buildings were destroyed due to shelling during the war operations of Serbian military, police and paramilitary forces, which have covered more than 1/3 of the territory of Kosova since the beginning of February onwards.

     During the month of May, apart from killing, massacres, extrajudiciary execution, shelling villages and houses, destroying settlements, Serbian military and paramilitary forces kidnapped, arrested, raided, ill-treated and looted many Albanian citizens regardless of age and gender.
     Hundreds of Albanians were subjected to severe ill-treatment in the streets, at their houses or other places. At the police check-points set up in different parts of Kosova, hundreds of Albanians were stopped and severely ill-treated, whereas other tens were taken to unknown directions after being ill-treated. During the very same period, political and humanitarian activists were the target of Serbian police. Tens of them were subjected to ill- treatment by the Serbian law enforcement authorities. In Gjakova, Besa Arllati, chairperson of the LDK Information Commission, dr. Fehmi Vula, physician and member of the LDK Board, Mevlude Saraqi, chairperson of the Municipality Council for Emergencies, Jahë Sadria, a journalist with "Rilindja", and others were detained. For some of the detainees, the investigative proceedings are still pending. Furthermore, Dr. Vula is facing charges as allegedly being as one of the KLA leaders in that region. In Prizren, police arrested a physician and his patient wounded by Serbian snipers. The physician was accused for aiding "terrorists".
     Serbian Run District Courts in Peja, Prizren, Mitrovica, Prishtina and Nish, began investigative proceedings against many Albanians, charging them for being KLA members or associates. During the very same period, Serbian police and armed civilians kidnapped Albanian citizens. Over 150 Albanians were kidnapped since the beginning of war operations, whereas during the month of May, CDHRF has registered 24 such cases. Neither families nor humanitarian organizations know anything on the whereabouts of the majority of the kidnapped ones. There are reported Serbs among the kidnapped, likewise.
 

EXTRAJUDICIARY EXECUTIONS

     Military-police offensive on 25 May against the villages in the district of Deçan and Peja resulted with the extrajudiciary execution of 7 members of Hamza family, one of Gogaj-Cacaj family and one of Delimetaj family in the village of 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 the very same operation, Serbian forces shelled tens of houses of the villages of Carrabreg and Lubeniq.
     On 31 May, at about 1.30 p.m., Serbian forces 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.
     Such executions were perpetrated by Serbian forces in the majority of the affected parts of Kosova, such as Klina, Gjakova, Skënderaj, Deçan, etc.
 

AT LEAST 100.000 ALBANIANS HAVE FLED THEIR HOMES

     According to the information, yet unconfirmed completely by CDHRF, many villages were destroyed to the ground. It is doubted that there are many casualties on both Albanian and Serbian sides.
     CDHRF has compiled a list of over 300 killed Albanians since 1 January 1998. During the month of May, CDHRF has available data on 100 killed people.
     Due to this war machinery, hundreds of thousands of people were forced to flee affected regions and villages, which remained target of the Serbian snipers. Since February 1998, when the war operations started, at least 100.000 people, among whom Serbs and Montenegrins that refused to fight against Albanians, fled their homes.
     The experience of the refugees, who passed through the bullets of Serbian forces, in terrible weather in order to get to the safer places, is hard to describe. Many villages are vacant. some animals that survived could be seen. About 20.000 Albanians took shelter in Albania, 10.000 in Montenegro, 10.000 in Macedonia, whereas the others took shelter in some safer places.
     As an aftermath of war operations of Serbian forces on the 1/3 of the territory of Kosova and as an aftermath of the blockade of the roads leading to the affected regions, the food and medicines supply has become impossible. The places where refugees have taken shelter are in a very bad position. Due to this blockade, thousands of inhabitants are endangered by famine and epidemics.
     Different parts of Kosova are still under blockade and isolated from the world. Villages of Drenica, Klina, Gjakova and Deçan are still under iron besiegement and threatened by a humanitarian catastrophe. Many other settlements of Kosova are facing the similar situation.
     Serbian police halted, confiscated and prevented the distribution of humanitarian aid by international and local humanitarian organizations. Police confiscated food and medical supply from "Mother Theresa" Humanitarian ë Charitable Association, and ill-treated its activists on several occasions. Police looted 27 tons of humanitarian aids provided by "Mercy Corps International" Organization.
     The destiny of 500 Albanians, mainly women and children, who remained surrounded in Deçan, is very dramatic.
 

     BURNED LAND TACTICS!

     According to the tactics, means and methods used in the war operations, one can conclude that Serbian forces have been applying the burned land tactics, such as in Bosnia and Croatia. CDHRF available data indicate that at least 110 settlements were target of the Serbian attacks since February 1998. In majority of villages, after shelling and fleeing of Albanian population, Serbian armed forces, aided by armed Serbian civilians, looted all valuables and set fire to the houses. Over 5200 buildings belonging to the Albanians were destroyed due to shelling or fire. Mass destruction of the Albanian settlements shows the aim of the Serbian regime to prevent the return of the Albanians, which leads towards the ethnic cleansing or whatever you call it.
     In Deçan, which was attacked during the end of May, the part inhabited by the Albanians was destroyed completely. There is no Albanian house left in this part. Those remained were burned and leveled by the Serbian infantry. Many Albanian settlements such as: Bokshiq, Dellova, Komaran, Prejlep, Carrabreg, Carralluka, Ponoshec, Lubeniq, Smolica, etc., are in a similar situation. Many villages in the districts of Deçan and Gjakova were looted after the shelling and the fleeing of the Albanian population. Tens and hundreds of lorries with commodities were seen to move towards Peja and Gjakova.
     Belgrade's aim for ethnic cleansing in some parts of Kosova proves the case of the village of Deva near Gjakova. The inhabitants were presented an ultimatum by military authorities to ask for permission to stay from Serbian authorities in Gjakova. Otherwise, they must leave their village.

     The incomplete but confirmed data prove that in Kosova during the very same month:

     - 1652 Albanians were subjected to ill-treatment in different ways;
     - 125 Albanians were killed, massacred and summarily executed;
     - 61 Albanians were wounded;
     - 13 killing attempts;
     - 30 persons disappeared;
     - 23 persons were kidnapped;
     - 272 persons were arbitrarily arrested;
     - 26 Albanians are under investigative proceedings;
     - 29 persons were summoned for "informative talks";
     - 599 persons were beaten in the street, house or at police stations;
     - 57 persons suffered aggravated assaults;
     - 27 cases of petty-offences;
     - 5 cases of penal convictions;
     - 31 families were raided;
     - 26 persons were ill-treated allegedly for weapons possession;
     - 56 women were ill-treated in different ways;
     - 25 children were ill-treated;
     - 5 journalists were ill-treated.
 

THE LIST OF THE KILLED PERSONS BY FIRE ARMS DURING MAY 1998

     Name and Surname         Age       Place of birth       Date

  1. Agim Emin Emini          35        Turiçec-Skënderaj    1 May
  2. Asllan Sylë Gashi        26        Vojnika-Skënderaj    2 May
  3. Meritë Gashi             23        Vojnika-Skënderaj    2 May
  4. Rabë Gashi               34        Vojnika-Skënderaj    2 May
  5. Hajdar Osman Bajraktari  56        Morina-Gjakova       3 May
  6. Abdyl Duçi               61        Ponoshec-Gjakova     4 May
  7. Binak Bakaj              60        Ponoshec-Gjakova     4 May
  8. Bekë Sylë Shabanaj       62        Deçan                5 May
  9. Hajdar Halil Kuçi        75        Deçan                5 May
 10. Rifat Sadri Shala        30        Baran-Peja           5 May
 11. Artim Sejdi Jashari      24        Mitrovica            6 May
 12. Bahri Fazliu             ?         Prishtina            7 May
 13. Vehbi Mustafa            65        Peja                 7 May
 14. Agim Hasanaj             ?         Gllareva-Klina       8 May
 15. Agim Ymer Hasanaj        21        Gllareva-Klina       8 May
 16. Haki Din Kameraj         35        Lëbusha-Deçan        8 May
 17. Mahmut Daut Kelmendi     60        Balinca-Malisheva    8 May
 18. Nazif Ismajl Kelmendi    50        Balinca-Malisheva    8 May
 19. Ramë Ali Neziri          88        Ponoshec-Gjakova     8 May
 20. Rexhep Ismet Kelmendi    16        Balinca-Malisheva    8 May
 21. Besim Daut Halilaj       31        Tërdec-Gllogoc       9 May
 22. Sefer Elshani            64        Gllobar-Gllogoc      9 May
 23. Adem Sadik Bajrami       42        Ponoshec-Gjakova    12 May
 24. Agron Rrahmani           30        Prishtina           12 May
 25. Avdullah Xh. Avdullahu   21        Popoc-Gjakova       12 May
 26. Elmi Binak Morina        50        Vranjaka-Rahovec    12 May
 27. Gëzim Hajdar Duçi        21        Ponoshec-Gjakova    12 May
 28. Hajdar Idriz Ademi       22        Ponoshec-Gjakova    12 May
 29. Isuf Hajdari             55        Prishtina           12 May
 30. Malush Morina            57        Ratkoc-Rahovec      12 May
 31. Mehmet Dulë Dula         24        Ponoshec-Gjakova    12 May
 32. Milaim Isak Krasniqi     26        Pastasella-Rahovec  12 May
 33. Murat Isuf Dula          29        Ponoshec-Gjakova    12 May
 34. Ramiz Avdyl Rexha        28        Ponoshec-Gjakova    12 May
 35. Sadri Rrustem Neziri     48        Ponoshec-Gjakova    12 May
 36. Shefqet Selim Rexha      32        Ponoshec-Gjakova    12 May
 37. Sinan Hazir Rexha        21        Ponoshec-Gjakova    12 May
 38. Çaush Haxhi Morina       45        Çeskova-Klina       13 May
 39. Bajram Sejdi Himaj       ?         Gexha-Rahovec       14 May
 40. Mehedin Morina           31        Gllareva-Klina      14 May
 41. Ymer Kajdomçaj           ?         Xërxa-Rahovec       14 May
 42. Gëzim Miftar Pepshi      ?         Junik-Deçan         15 May
 43. Muhamet Shaban Çitaku    24        Çitak-Skënderaj     15 May
 44. Rifat Çitaku             56        Çitak-Skënderaj     15 May
 45. Xhafer Bekë Kukaj        ?         Junik-Deçan         15 May
 46. Jahir Brahim Shabani     34        Bubla-Malisheva     16 May
 47. Arif Ramademaj           ?         Qeskova-Klina       17 May
 48. Brahim Demush Morina     45        Rixheva-Klina       17 May
 49. Faruk Elezi              21        Gjurgjevik-Klina    17 May
 50. Qaush Berisha            26        Qeskova-Klina       17 May
 51. Ramadan Halil Morina     35        Rixheva-Klina       17 May
 52. Sefer Halil Morina       32        Rixheva-Klina       17 May
 53. Ajmane Çitaku            95        Çitak-Skënderaj     18 May
 54. Murat T. Berisha         71        Leshan-Peja         18 May
 55. Ramadan Loshi            67        Padalishta-Skënderaj18 May
 56. Ymer Ali Delibeqa        40        Rahovec             19 May
 57. Bajram Osë Osdautaj      66        Isniq-Deçan         20 May
 58. Rexhë Selman Pajazitaj   65        Isniq-Deçan         20 May
 59. Isuf Rexhë Morina        45        Grabanica-Klina     21 May
 60. Arben Aziz Halitaj       22        Jashanica-Klina     22 May
 61. Bajram Demë Kastrati     60        Zajm-Klina          22 May
 62. Brahim Ahmet Uka         75        Zajm-Klina          22 May
 63. Çelë Shaban Desku        41        Kliqina-Peja        24 May
 64. Shaqir Rrustem Zeqiri    26        Bokshiq-Klina       24 May
 65. Zekë Azem Brahimi        70        Bokshiq-Klina       24 May
 66. Bashkim Ymer Hamza       23        Lubeniq-Peja        25 May
 67. Brahim Ukë Hamza         64        Lubeniq-Peja        25 May
 68. Dervish Ukë Hamza        51        Lubeniq-Peja        25 May
 69. Gani Zeqë Hamza          25        Lubeniq-Peja        25 May
 70. Haxhi Goga (Cacaj)       24        Deçan               25 May
 71. Hysen Daut Alimehaj      40        Lubeniq-Peja        25 May
 72. Ismet Ukaj               ?         Strellc i Ep.-Deçan 25 May
 73. Ramiz Sadik Batusha      22        Baballoq-Deçan      25 May
 74. Rifat Zeqë Hamza         24        Lubeniq-Peja        25 May
 75. Sadri Komoni             65        Peja                25 May
 76. Ymer Deli Hamza          53        Lubeniq-Peja        25 May
 77. Zeqë Misin Hamza         68        Lubeniq-Peja        25 May
 78. Zojë Kuçi Selmanaj       70        Rastavica-Deçan     25 May
 79. Nexhat Sabri Ibërhysaj   27        Deçan               26 May
 80. Feim Gashi               ?         Drenoc-Rahovec      27 May
 81. Përparim Ali Thaçi       21        Landovica-Prizren   27 May
 82. Sakip Bellaqa            ?         Pataçan-Rahovec     27 May
 83. Tahir Rrustem Kadriaj    75        Rastavica-Deçan     27 May
 84. Qaush Haxhi Fazlia       38        Bokshiq-Klina       28 May
 85. Beqir Rrustem Krasniqi   49        Vranoc              29 May
 86. Fazë Zenun Krasniqi      43        Vranoc              29 May
 87. Fidaim Nazmi Berisha     17        Vasileva-Gllogoc    29 May
 88. Halit Asllani            ?         Brovina-Gjakova     29 May
 89. Halit Krasniqi           50        Vranoc              29 May
 90. Imer Elez Ukaj           50        Vranoc              29 May
 91. Rexhep Sadiku            ?         Nivokaz-Gjakova     29 May
 92. Sami Bogiqi              35        Llapushnik-Gllogoc  29 May
 93. Fatmir Xhemajli          28        Kopiliq-Skënderaj   30 May
 94. Abdyl Gjonaj (Loshaj)    ?         Carrabreg-Deçan     31 May
 95. Adem Ukëhaxhaj           ?         Carrab. i P.-Deçan  31 May
 96. Ahmet Berisha            40        Poklek i Ri-Gllogoc 31 May
 97. Ajmane Balaj             50        Carrab. i E.-Deçan  31 May
 98. Ardian Haxhi Deliu       18        Poklek i Ri-Gllogoc 31 May
 99. Arif Mahmutaj            44        Strellc-Deçan       31 May
100. Asllan Bozhdaraj         ?         Carrab. i E.-Deçan  31 May
101. Avni Adem Përgjegjaj     32        Lumbardh-Deçan      31 May
102. Besart Dautaj            12        Carrab. i E.-Deçan  31 May
103. Blerim Dervishaj         ?         Irzniq-Deçan        31 May
104. Blerim Shishani          14        Poklek i Ri-Gllogoc 31 May
105. Gala Beli                ?         Carrabreg-Deçan     31 May
106. Hajdar Ukë Ukshinaj      ?         Lubeniq-Deçan       31 May
107. Hajriz Hajdini           45        Poklek i Ri-Gllogoc 31 May
108. Hamdi Jakup Dautaj       25        Carrab. i E.-Deçan  31 May
109. Hate Balaj               60        Carrab. i E.-Deçan  31 May
110. Haxhi Metë Cacaj         ?         Deçan               31 May
111. Mehmet Ukë Ukshinaj      ?         Lubeniq-Deçan       31 May
112. Muhamet Hajdini          50        Poklek i Ri-Gllogoc 31 May
113. Osman R. Tolaj           79        Pobërgja-Deçan      31 May
114. Rexhep Pavataj           ?         Strellc-Deçan       31 May
115. Sahit Qorri              55        Poklek i Ri-Gllogoc 31 May
116. Sefer Qorri              55        Poklek i Ri-Gllogoc 31 May
117. Shaban Kasumaj           43        Lloqan-Deçan        31 May
118. Shaban Osaj              72        Deçan               31 May
119. Shaqir Dobraj            80        Carrab. i E.-Deçan  31 May
120. Shkurte Niman Tolaj      70        Pobërgja-Deçan      31 May
121. Shyhrete Jeftaj          ?         Deçan               31 May
122. Tafil Kasumaj            47        Lloqan-Deçan        31 May
123. Teuta Loshaj             21        Carrab. i E.-Deçan  31 May
124. Xajë Kuçi                47        Deçan               31 May
125. Zize H. Tolaj            75        Pobërgja-Deçan      31 May

Prishtina, 19 June 1998                      Information Service