[Prishtina-E] HRW: Macedonian Forces Responsible for Killing and Destruction (From a Letter to Macedonian President B. Trajkovski)

[Mentor Cana]

An excerpt from the Human Rights Watch (HRW) letter sent to Macedonian
President B. Trajkovski. [May 4th, 2001]

 "This concern is strengthened by our findings following the March 2001
  actions by the security forces against armed ethnic Albanian groups in
  the western part of the country. Available evidence suggests that
  government forces were responsible for the deliberate killing of
  16-year-old Omer Shabani on April 3 in the village of Selce. We also
  received reports that families of ethnic Albanians arrested on suspicion
  of membership in the so-called National Liberation Army (NLA) were unable
  to obtain any information on the whereabouts of their relatives. Finally,
  our documentation suggests that government forces were responsible for
  the wanton destruction and looting of villages perceived as being
  pro-NLA, including the villages of Selce, Gjermo, Gajre, Drenovec, and
  Kolte. We urge you to make these incidents the subject of prompt,
  thorough, and transparent investigations.

Full letter available at:
http://www.hrw.org/press/2001/05/macedonia_ltr1.htm