This time, the documentary was screened in the Municipality of Peje/Pec, followed by a town hall debate on the challenges of missing persons from the Kosovo war from all communities.
Produced as part of the EU-funded project “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo,” the documentary highlighted the lasting impact of war crimes on families and communities across Kosovo.
It included stories and testimonies from the families of missing people from the municipalities of Peje, Kline, Istog and Decan, and from representatives of relevant institutions addressing the grievances of the past in Kosovo.
Around 400 persons from Peje region are still listed as missing. Families are still in pain, waiting to find the truth about loved ones, two decades on.
A discussion followed the documentary screening, making this event part of a broader series of public discussions on transitional justice and missing persons in Kosovo.
This was moderated by BIRN Kosovo Executive Director and journalist Jeta Xharra and included representatives from Kosovo institutions. Panelists included Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution, Kushtrim Gara, from the Government Commission on Missing Persons, and Kreshnik Gashi, from KALLXO.com.
The panelists highlighted the importance of accountability and overall cooperation for the broader transitional justice process in Kosovo. Morina emphasized that information sharing by everyone but especially by the families of missing persons throughout the process is crucial in order to document testimonies that can be used in prosecuting war crimes.
The event was attended by 80 people, 47 of whom were women. Among the participants were students of the University of Peja “Haxhi Zeka”, law professors, citizens and family members of missing persons. All participants had the chance to ask questions directly to the panelists and understand more about the process of uncovering the truth on the issue of missing persons from the war.
This event was organised in the framework of “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo” project, funded by the European Union.