With strong calls for justice, tributes were held today near the “Heroinat” memorial to mark the Memorial Day for victims of conflict-related sexual violence during the war in Kosovo.
Survivors present emphasized that this day is not only a moment of reflection, but also a call for concrete institutional and societal action, so that war crimes do not go unpunished and the voices of survivors are heard more strongly.
War survivor Vasfije Krasniqi stressed that despite the difficulties of the past, she now stands before the public to seek justice and encourage others to speak out.
“For me it is very difficult, because 27 years ago, when I was only 16 years old, I was in the hands of the enemy, but today I am here to speak about justice. Today I have the whole people beside me, because for many years I only had my family. I want to thank the institutions, organizations, society, and my family for their support. I call on victims to join us more, to come forward and speak publicly, but the most important thing is to seek justice. Because what Serbia has done in Kosovo is something that cannot be forgiven. If I knew how to seek justice when I was only 17, why shouldn’t everyone seek justice,” Krasniqi said.
Ramadan Nishori, also a survivor of conflict-related sexual violence, emphasized the importance of speaking publicly and pursuing justice through legal mechanisms.
“Today marks one year since I spoke publicly. From this place, I call on every survivor—men and women—to come to organizations, seek help, and file lawsuits against the Serbian state,” said Ramadan Nishori.
On the other hand, Feride Rushiti, director of the Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims, said this day has now become a symbol of collective memory and institutional commitment to supporting survivors. She emphasized that numerous institutional activities aim to raise awareness and strengthen survivors’ voices.
“We are pleased that as an organization we have all the institutions of Kosovo, which through various activities are launching and raising the voice for survivors of sexual violence. This day coincides with the date of Vasfije Krasniqi, as she, as a young woman, was subjected to mass torture in the place where the crime occurred. In that place, she requested that this day become an institutional and memorial day for survivors of sexual violence. Today we honor the voices of Vasfije, Deni, Shyhrete, and thousands of survivors of war sexual violence who still do not speak due to fear of stigma and prejudice. We believe that incomplete justice for victims of sexual violence is only partial justice. We are in the process of raising the debate so that cases that have received justice, indictments under review, and over 100 ongoing investigations can be resolved as soon as possible,” Rushiti said.
The day concluded with the message that justice for victims of sexual violence remains an unfinished obligation, while Kosovar society continues efforts to break the silence and ensure dignity for all survivors.
April 14 is the date when Vasfije Krasniqi was sexually assaulted, and she publicly spoke about her trauma in 2018. The number of people subjected to sexual violence during the last war in Kosovo is unknown, but reports suggest around 20,000 women and men.
Vasfije Krasniqi was the first to publicly speak about the trauma she endured in 2018. Later, Shyrete Tahiri filed a criminal complaint with the Special Prosecution for her case.
Meanwhile, Ramadan Nishori from Drenas became the first man to publicly speak about sexual violence, on April 14 last year, which is marked as the Memorial Day for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.
