Monthly Report November 1997 from KMDLNJ / CDHRF Pristinë  and
Special report about terror by the Serbian police in the districts of Skënderaj and Deçan

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REPORT ON THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS IN KOSOVA DURING NOVEMBER 1997

The systematic and institutionalized violation of the human rights and fundamental
freedoms in Kosova continued with the same intensity during the month of November. The
Serbian regime has been prolonging the state of emergency through organized state
violence exerted by police, army, courts and other law enforcement authorities. Two more
Albanians were added to the black list of victims during the very same period.
On 25 November, Halit Geci (52), teacher at "Përparimi" Primary School in the village of
Llausha, was severely wounded at his working place inside the school building. On 26
November, he died as an aftermath of injuries suffered.
On 26 November, Ismet Qaush Gjocaj (1962), worker from the village of Gjocaj, was
massacred by the Serbian police. On 21 November, he was arrested, interrogated and
physically ill-treated. He was left an order to report to the police station on 26 November.
On the body of the deceased, signs of torture could be seen. Among others, his eyes were
torn off. Both victims were qualified by Serbian press as "terrorists" killed in action.
According to available information from our sub-Councils, the events occurred as follows:
On 25 November, police surrounded the Binakaj quarter in the village of Vojnikë with the
aim of raiding. Being opposed, police shot at random, seriously wounding Bahri Qerim
Krasniqi (11), while playing in his garden. Despite of the serious wounds, his family was
prevented from taking him to hospital for almost a day.
On 26 November, at 9.30 a.m., large police forces from Mitrovica, accompanied by
helicopters and armoured cars went to the villages Llausha, Rakinica, Broja, Turiqevc,
Vojnikë and Fshati i Ri (Ludeviq). Shooting lasted until 1.30 p.m. In the village of Rakinica,
bullets were fired at ten houses which are situated some 70m from the road. The child
Driton I. Dajaku suffered traumas. Our associates claim that many houses were damaged
by bullets and many domestic animals were killed. While withdrawing, police shot bullets at
the "Përparimi" Primary School in the village of Llausha. Four classrooms as well as the
principal's office were badly damaged. Halit Geci, teacher, was seriously wounded and
died as an aftermath of injuries suffered at the surgery ward in the Mitrovica hospital.
On 25 November, at 12 p.m., Ismet Q. Gjocaj (1962), worker from the village of Gjocaj
near Deçan, went to the Sub-CDHRF in Deçan to give a statement. On 21 November, he
and his 8-member-family were ill-treated by Serbian police, his house was raided in search
for weapons and he was left an order to report to the police station. On 26 November, at 6
a.m., his house was raided again. His brother Avni and two workers (Fatmir and Feriz
Gashi) from the village of Vërmica e Malishevës were arrested. After being ill-treated, they
were forced into the car trunk and sent to the police station in Deçan. They were
interrogated and threatened with liquidation. At the local police station they were subjected
to severe physical ill-treatment, punched, kicked and beaten up with rifle butts. Avni stated
that he had seen his brother in the hall of the local police station. He was accompanied by
many police inspectors.
According to the sub-CDHRF report in Deçan the body of the deceased was massacred,
his eyes were torn off and the right part of the skull was deformed. 6 bullets were on his
back. His arm was broken to pieces and his chest and the whole body was all in bruises.
Both his legs and knees were badly injured. The late Ismet Gjocaj  was brutally
massacred..".
During the very same period, the repression has continued in all other parts of Kosova.
According to available information of Council for the Defence of Human Rights and
Freedoms based in Prishtina, 313 individual cases of ill-treatment were registered during
the month of November.
During this period:
- 3 persons were killed;
- 1 murder attempt was registered;
- 6 persons were sentenced for penal acts and for petty-offences;
- 48 cases of physical torture were reported;
- 5 persons suffered bad injuries;
- 64 persons were arbitrarily arrested;
- 46 persons were taken for "informative talks";
- 32 Albanian families were raided;
- 68 persons underwent routine checking;
- 3 persons were prevented from repatriating;
- 38 persons were summoned to the police stations;
- 22 persons were subjected to ill-treatment for weapons;
- 23 political, 9 humanitarian and 5 activists of Central Financial Council were subjected to
ill-treatment;
- 22 educational activists were subjected to ill-treatment;
- 2 interventions in educational institutions;
- 9 women and 4 children were subjected to ill-treatment;
- 4 journalists were ill-treated;
- 13 cases of looting;
- 3 Albanian families were evicted from their flats and Serbian families moved in instead;
- 1 case of hampering of cultural activities.

The samples are more illustrative:
PRISHTINA: Three Serbian armed civilians went into the flat of Hasan Hoti (1947), lawyer
and vice-chairman of Social-Democratic Party of Kosova, whom they insulted and
threatened. After the clash with policemen, Hasan and his wife Drita (1958) suffered bad
injuries and sought for medical care, while their daughter and that of their neighbour (13-
14), suffered traumas.
DEçAN: On 24 November, Sali Cacaj (1951), member of CDHRF, and Bajram
Hadërgjonaj, journalist, were summoned for "informative talks" to the Security Centre in
Gjakova. The two were interrogated on the commemorative gathering in the village of
Shishman, near Gjakova, dedicated to the Albanians killed by the Yugoslav law
enforcement authorities in 1954, the forthcoming elections within the LDK, the District
Financial Council and the organization of demonstrations in Kosova.
PRISHTINA: On 27 November, Nada Milosavleviq, the compulsory principal of "Zenel
Hajdini" Primary School called 6 policemen from the "Kodra e Trimave" police station. The
policemen intervened in the school premises and prevented the manifestation on the
occassion of the 28th November, national holiday. Ajet Brajshori, the school principal, was
taken to the police station and interrogated regarding the program.
ISTOG: Police stopped Musa Haziraj from the village of Banja e Istogut and physically ill-
treated him. Musa was sent to the local police station in Banja. In the meanwhile, his
house was raided. The pretext for this raid remains unknown.
OBILIQ: On 13 November, Nasuf Ferat Mjeku was summoned to the police. The house of
Ahmet Mehmeti from the village of Plemetin was raided.
PODUJEVA: On 2 November, Safet Bejtullahu and Shaip Bajrami, asylum-seekers in
Germany, were sent back to Germany after being kept at the Belgrade airport for two
hours.

Prishtina, 12 November 1997
Information Service

THE CDHRF'S REPORT ON THE WIDESPREAD TERROR PERPETRATED BY
THE SERBIAN POLICE IN THE DISTRICTS OF SKëNDERAJ AND DEÇAN
 

ALBANIANS THE TARGET OF STATE ORGANIZED VIOLENCE

 The second half of November was marked by brutal state violence and terror. As an
aftermath of this violence, two Albanians were killed, one of them was massacred at the
police station, two others were wounded, tens were endangered by fire weapons and
hundreds were ill-treated in different forms.
 On November 26, Halit Geci (52), teacher at the "Përparimi" Primary School in the
village of Llausha, died in the Mitrovica hospital due to wounds by fire arms.
 On November 26, at the police station in Irzniq, Ismet Qaush Gjocaj (1962), worker
from the village of Gjocaj, was massacred. Ismet reported to the police station on
November 25. His corpse was taken to the Peja hospital. Ismet's body was all in bruises
due to brutal torture perpetrated on him. Among others, both his eyes were pulled out.

THE VILLAGES OF SKëNDERAJ IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY

 On November 25, Serbian police surrounded the "Binakaj" quarter in the village of
Vojnikë under the pretext of executing a fine, but were confronted with the resistance of
the inhabitants. Large police forces fired bullets at random shootings and heavily wounded
Bahri Qerim Krasniqi (11), who in spite of the heavy wounds was not allowed to be taken
to hospital.
 On November 26, since 9.30 am, a police squad of more than 200 policemen from
Prishtina and Mitrovica with armoured cars and helicopters surrounded the villages of
Llaushë, Rakinica, Broja, Turiqec, Vojnikë and Fshat i Ri. In the place called "Mrizet e
Llaushës" and in the "Qark" quarter in Rakinica, heavy fighting lasted until 1.30 p.m.
Serbian police while withdrawing shot bullets on both sides of the road. Some houses and
other things in the house yards were damaged by ammunition. In the village of Vojnikë the
houses of Bislim and Qerim Nebihu; Fazli Kotorri; Haki, Dibran and Daut Gashi as well as
that of Qerim Krasniqi were damaged with bullets. In the village of Rakinica, 10 houses
that are situated some 70 m from the road were damaged. The walls of the house of Sinan
Zabeli bear many signs of bullet holes. His family was endangered. Two cows belonging to
this family were shot down. On the walls of the house of Sadik Zabeli 17 bullet holes can
be noted and two window panes were broken. The house of Sokol Zabeli was damaged,
too. The fact that the police used ammunition of very large caliber can be proven by bullet
holes on many house walls. Sokol's car and his harvesting machine were damaged and a
cow was wounded. At the house of Muhamet Zabeli three windows were broken and the
roof was badly damaged. Jashar Zabeli had two cows shot down and 1 wounded. At the
house of Naim Zabeli 27 bullet holes can be numbered.
 In the village of Llausha police shot bullets at the "Përparimi" primary school. Whereas
bullets penetrated many walls. In the principal's office Halit Geci (52), teacher, was badly
wounded. Due to wounds, he died in the surgery ward of the Mitrovica hospital. Shaban
Reci, teacher, was wounded on his arm. Family members of the late teacher stated that
they were ill-treated at the Mitrovica hospital and threatened with liquidation. They also
claimed that the medical staff behaved very rudely and that the late teacher was not given
the first aid.
 In the evening, large police forces were stationed in the vicinity of the police station in
Skënderaj. Many buses were stopped and many passengers were physically ill-treated.
 In these actions of the Serbian police, the lives of some 10.000 inhabitants in 12
villages were endangered.
 According to information available to the Council during the recent actions of the
Serbian police:
-1 person was shot dead with fire arms,
-2 were wounded,
-16 were beaten-up in Skënderaj, Mitrovica and Prishtina,
-2 were injured (teachers),
-61 were ill-treated in different ways,
-the lives of 588 persons were endangered,
many houses were damaged; many bullet holes can be seen on their walls,
-3 domestic animals were shot down and 10 were wounded,

MASSACRE IN THE POLICE STATION OF THE VILLAGE OF IRZNIQ NEAR DEçAN

 On November 25, Ismet Qaush Gjocaj (1962), worker from the village of Gjocaj, gave
a statement to the sub-CDHRF in Deçan claiming that he was physically ill-treated on
November 21. Quote: Police had raided his house in search for weapons. According to his
statement, 8 members of the Gjocaj family were ill-treated. Ismet was ordered to report
again to the local police station on November 25.
 "On November 21, in the vicinity of the place named "Zhare", a police car stopped and
the policemen checked my identity as well as that of Fatmir Gashi. Police tied Fatmir to the
tractor. Quote "I was ordered to walk towards the border with Albania allegedly following
the traces of terrorists. Police commander Vukmir Mirqiq took several photos of me"
Unquote.
 On giving this statement to the sub-CDHRF in Deçan, Ismet went to report to the
police. From the local police station his massacred body was sent to the city hospital in
Peja.

STATEMENT GIVEN BY AVNI GJOCAJ - ISMET'S BROTHER

 On November 26, at 6 a.m., our house was raided. I was arrested. Fatmir and Feriz
Gashi from Vërmica e Malishevës were arrested, too. During the raid, Vukmir Mirqiq
interrogated me on the whereabouts of my brother. I told him that he was in the police
station. He replied that they had released him. We were forced in the car trunk and sent to
the local police station. At about midnight, I saw my brother in the hall of the police station.
He was accompanied by many police inspectors among whom was the one that had ill-
treated me. Later on, Feriz and I were sent in a dark room. We heard noise outside. Then,
we were sent to a room in which some 20 policemen were placed. A policeman hit me with
the rifle butt. Then he placed a hat with a two-headed eagle on my bleeding head. We
were dragged through the streets of the town. During all the time, we received blows from
the policemen. At 4 in the morning, police stopped a car, pulled out the driver and started
beating him. We took this opportunity and escaped.

STATEMENT GIVEN BY BINAK GJOCAJ - ISMET'S UNCLE

 On November 26, early in the morning, 5 policemen shot down my dog as well as
Ismet's dog. Later on, they started raiding our houses. On November 27, at 6 p.m., I went
to the police station in Deçan to learn something on Ismet's fate. On my question whether
Ismet was there a police guard replied positively. Hoping that he would be released shortly
after, I went back home. The next day, I heard of his death.
 On November 28, I went to the police station in Deçan to take the body. I was told to
go to the police station in Gjakova. There, I was told to go to the city morgue. At the city
hospital, they told me that the body was in the premises of the police station in Gjakova.
This game of theirs lasted for hours. A guard at the police station in Gjakova told me that
the body was in Peja. In Peja, I was told that they knew nothing about this. At the end, we
were addressed to the investigating judge in Peja and he told us that the body was in the
city morgue. The director of the Peja hospital was persistent in claiming that the corpse
was not there and when we told him that the investigating judge had sent us there, he
admitted that. Finally, we took Ismet's corpse without any medical discharging
documentation. At home, the family members were not allowed to see the massacred
corpse. Apart from the 6 holes on his back, his flesh was cut in some parts of the body, his
genital organs were injured and both eyes were pulled out probably with a heavy tool.
 The report of sub-CDHRF in Deçan, activists of which had seen Ismet's corpse in
person, stated as follows: "Quote" Ismet's body was massacred. Both his eyes were pulled
out, the right side of the scull was deformed and his right arm was broken. 6 bullets were
on his back and this leads to the impression that he was shot from behind. His chest was
all in bruises. On both his legs, beneath the knees and armpits his flesh was cut with a
sharp metal. It is evident that the late had undergone brutal and inhuman torture as well as
that he had been massacred...".

POLICE HAVE BEEN ILL-TREATING ALBANIAN CITIZENS

 On December 6, from 5.30 until 6.20 p.m., a group of policemen from Deçan, among
whom were policemen Branko from Peja and Buqo from Raushiq near Peja, brutally ill-
treated many persons, regardless of age and sex, in the outskirts of Junik, in centre and in
all public places. The ill-treated persons, all Albanians, were ordered to lie down and were
beaten up with rifle butts, fists and kicked. Many of the ill-treated suffered severe injuries
and had to seek medical care. Among the ill-treated were the following persons: Muhamed
Sadiku from Nivokaz near Gjakova; Abedin, Jahë and Zenun Habibi and Gani Shehu from
Junik, who are in the hospital of Gjakova; bad injuries suffered Ardian Kasumi, Isa and
Fadil Kuçi, Bashkim Knushi, Bashkim Maloku, Sami and Xhafer Jasiqi, Shpend and Naim
Gjota, Ramiz S. Hoxha, Kujtim Shala, Adelin and Armir Habibi, Qamil and Arbën Kuçi and
çaush Tafaj - all of them from Junik. After the police intervention, all public places were
closed down, streets were empty, while the police fired bullets in the quarters of Miroc and
Malok. The cause of this brutal action is unknown.

CDHRF CALLS FOR THE PREVENTION OF STATE REPRESSION

 According to the above mentioned report and other CDHRF available reports, which
prove of the violation of human rights in Kosova, CDHRF states hereby that the Serbian
regime has intensified its violence against the Albanian population in Kosova. Due to
police torture since January 1, 1997, 34 Albanians died, tens of Albanians were wounded
and thousands of others have been subjected to ill-treatment. CDHRF once again calls
the international community to use its influence in order to stop the genocide and structural
violence exerted on Albanians in Kosova.

Prishtina, December 12, 1997
Information Service