OSCE KVM documents human rights violations committed in Kosovo

SKOPJE, 20 April 1999 - OSCE KVM Human Rights staff previously working in Kosovo are conducting in-depth interviews with victims and witnesses regarding alleged human rights violations, covering the period 20 March 1999 onwards. KVM Interviewers are based in Skopje, Ohrid and Gostivar, and includes a permanent presence in the main refugee camps.

To date, approximately 250 statements have been taken, the majority of the interviewees have come from the regions of Mitrovica, Pristina, Gnjilane and Urosevac. The broad range of interviews conducted thus far allows for an analysis of trends in human rights violations. As yet, details of interviews cannot be verified on the ground. Nevertheless, corroborating statements and other evidence indicate a high credibility factor in the vast majority of statements taken. A wide range of human rights violations has been reported.

The statements paint a picture of total lawlessness and an almost complete absence of any form of protection for ethnic Albanians. Attacks by the VJ are targeting civilians and their property, and are followed by MUP operations, para-military groups and armed civilians. Patterns already established during the military offensive in the Cicavica Mountains in mid- March before the departure of the international community from Kosovo have been repeated over recent weeks. Current reports indicate a further increase of violence in eastern Kosovo, including alleged summary executions as witnessed before in the western parts of Kosovo.

The most prevalent human rights violation reported is forced displacement of ethnic Albanians from Kosovo. In effect, "ethnic cleansing". The perpetrators allegedly work in large groups consisting of VJ, MUP, and/or paramilitary groups. In some instances Serb civilians and "Arkan tigers" are mentioned as culprits. Reports indicate a pattern of intimidation and harassment, combined with assaults, pillage, shelling and killings, after which people flee or are simply told to leave. In most cases people report being dispatched by bus or train towards the border. Many statements include reports of vacated houses being burned down. At the border intimidation and harassment is reported, some interviewees report assaults, robbery and sexual assaults. Many report being robbed of their last possessions.

Statements detail alleged incidents of killings, executions, physical abuse, rape, forced displacement, destruction of civilian property and looting, involving individuals and groups of people, including complete village populations in Kosovo. The number of reports on sexual assaults including rape of groups of women is increasing. Other reports include torture, ill-treatment, harassment, intimidation and use of groups of people as human shields.

Reports detail accounts of maiming of the victims and of mutilations of the dead. Reports include throat cutting, cutting out eyes, cutting off breasts, nose, fingers, hands, and/or feet, slicing of body parts, and carving of Serb nationalistic marks on the chest, forehead or other parts of the body. Often executions are reported as being done in front of family members or villagers. Sometimes the victims are separated from the group and are later found dead or not accounted for.

The perpetrators of these reported violations of human rights are detailed as various paramilitary groups and bands of armed civilians. Many interviewees refer to "Arkan's men" or "Seseljs's men". In several cases interviewees were able to give precise descriptions of the uniforms and insignia worn by these groups. A substantial number of perpetrators could be identified.

For more information please call Jorgen Grunnet, Spokesman at OSCE KVM, tel. +389 91 392 530 or mobile +389 70 250 434