[KAN-Info] International Investigation Needed

[Naida Dukaj]

KOSOVA ACTION NETWORK
JANUARY 17, 2005
WE ARE ALL MISSING THEM CAMPAIGN

KAN STATEMENT on MISSING - International Investigation Needed

It continues to be of utmost importance for there to be an outside,
independent investigation authorized to look into the removal of bodies from
Kosovo during the 1999 NATO war.  Five years (nearly six) have passed and
efforts at uncovering the truth have not resulted in justice for the
families of the missing, only in death threats for those promoting
investigation and fact-finding. The government of Serbia, instead of doing
everything possible to put an end to the cover-up of this heinous series of
crimes has done nothing to apologize nor make reparations to the grieving
families and not even to return the available remains in a timely fashion.
The UNMIK government simply calls for dialog as it has for five years,
unaware perhaps that for five years, it has not worked. The UN government in
Kosovo needs to appeal directly to Kofi Annan to appoint an internationally
organized investigation into the mass graves in Belgrade the possible
cremation sites detailed by the Humanitarian Law Center. Human rights groups
such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty, and others need to renew their demands
that the extent of these crimes be investigated. Foreign offices in Belgrade
have taken far too timid a role as well, in light of these new developments.

We are calling now for NGOs to organize a petition in support of HLC's
efforts, demanding a resolution of this terrible situation.


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FROM HLC REPORTS
www.hlc.org

BIA harassment to prevent disclosure of truth about Mackatica


The Humanitarian Law Center calls on the President and Prime Minister of
Serbia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Security Information
Agency (BIA) to put an end to the rampant unlawful conduct of police and BIA
agents in Surdulica, Vladicin Han, and Vranje. Such behavior reached
alarming proportions following the publication of a text by HLC Executive
Director Natas?a Kandic´ on the burning of bodies of Kosovo Albanians in the
Mackatica industrial plant in Surdulica.

The local BIA and police are investigating people, threatening them and
organizing acts of terror, all with the aim of uncovering the HLC source and
preventing people from speaking out and testifying on the burning of bodies
at the plant during the NATO bombing. In their efforts to "identify the
enemy," police and BIA members cited in the text as accessories to
destroying the evidence of the crime, have turned in particular against
people who have contacts with the media and non-governmental organizations.
Their "suspects" include Anita Nikolic´, a customs officer from Vladicin Han
and a victim of sexual harassment by the police officer in charge of the
Strazimirovci border crossing. (Full report available through HLC)


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