On the occasion of the 17th anniversary of Kosovo's independence, the chairman of the Government Commission for Missing Persons, Andin Hoti, remembered the sacrifices of all those who fought for our freedom and right to live freely and independently.

Hoti has also published a letter addressed to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallah, requesting concrete steps to force Serbia to cooperate and open its state archives, including military, police and intelligence ones.

“As we celebrate this historic day, we cannot forget those who have not yet been reunited with their families. 1,591 citizens of Kosovo continue to be missing due to crimes planned, orchestrated, and committed by Serbia during the 1998-1999 war. In an effort to bring justice to the country and uncover the truth, the Government of Kosovo has sent a letter to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms. Kaja Kallas, requesting concrete steps to force Serbia to cooperate and open its state archives, including military, police, and intelligence archives,” Hoti wrote.

"Serbia continues to deny its responsibility and sabotage efforts for justice, refusing to disclose the whereabouts of the missing. Kosovo has built peace on justice and truth, and we will not stop until every missing person is returned to their families and Serbia is held accountable for the crimes committed. Glory to those who fell for freedom! Honor to those who disappeared by force! Happy Independence, Kosovo," he wrote.

Furthermore, he wrote that “In this letter, we have demanded: The immediate and unconditional opening of Serbia’s state archives, which contain key information on the whereabouts of the missing. Full cooperation in shedding light on the role of Serbian paramilitary forces and collaborators, who, with the support of the Milosevic regime, executed and disappeared thousands of Albanians. And accountability for Serbia’s continued refusal to hand over information on known mass graves within its territory.

According to him, our independence was achieved with great sacrifices and we cannot allow the victims of genocide to be forgotten or the families' right to know the truth to be denied.

"Serbia continues to deny its responsibility and sabotage efforts for justice, refusing to disclose the whereabouts of the missing. Kosovo has built peace on justice and truth, and we will not stop until every missing person is returned to their family and Serbia is held accountable for the crimes committed," Hoti said.