Pasalic: I am shocked because international institutions are not reacting to evidence of the situation of Serbian prisoners in Kosovo

The Serbian Ombudsman, Zoran Pasalic, stated that he had forwarded evidence to all international institutions responsible for protecting human rights regarding the inadequate treatment of the detained Serbs in Kosovo prisons. However, he expressed his shock that he had not received any response and hardly anyone had reacted.

He emphasizes that the families of the detained Serbs in Kosovo must receive accurate information about the condition of their relatives in detention facilities. There are several addresses they can turn to for the behavior of the Kosovo Police towards prisoners.

One of these addresses includes the OSCE and EULEX. However, what surprises the Serbian Ombudsman is that the Kosovo Ombudsman does not respond to appeals about the health and physical well-being of the Serbs in prisons. The Kosovo Ombudsman's primary responsibility “should be to protect the human rights of all citizens living in Kosovo and Metohija“.

"Based on the information, which we received during the initial arrests, the treatment of the detained individuals was inadequate during their arrest, detention, and while they were in custody. We received this information from our liaison officer who is in contact with the EULEX Office in Pristina and who personally visited some of the detainees. This was the reason we sent letters to 106 addresses of international institutions, primarily those in European countries and beyond, responsible for protecting human rights, similar to the function we perform in Serbia," Pasalic said for Kosovo Online.

As he says, despite all the complaints and appeals to international institutions, there has been no response.

"I repeat, we reached out to 106 addresses, and I was shocked by the lack of response, or rather, the non-reaction of international institutions. In practice, only three of them contacted us, even though we sent not only letters but also facts supported by evidence – so it's not an impression or speculation, but facts backed by evidence," Pasalic emphasized.

The Ombudsman of Serbia states that he will not give up the fight for the rights of the Serbs in Kosovo until the international community reacts adequately.
"Our job doesn't end until the international community responds appropriately to the situation of the Serbs in Kosovo, and not only Serbs but all citizens. This includes those who have experienced torture and don't belong to the Serbian community, but the dominant torture is against the Serbian community. Our steps are to alert the international community everywhere and on every occasion, and during our daily bilateral communications, as well as when we have contact with specific institutions or organizations that bring together ombudsmen or institutions that deal with human rights protection at the European and global levels and within the UN," Pasalic stated.

He expressed concern about the absence of any "umbrella institution" that could persuade international institutions, both in Pristina and elsewhere, to react.

"Unfortunately, there is no subordination that could compel or persuade an adequate response. We know that there are discussions about human rights protection all over the world, so if it applies to other countries, why doesn't it apply to the situation of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija," he emphasized.

He also added that it was concerning that the international community not only failed to respond to the situation of the detained Serbs and their brutal treatment during arrests but also remained silent about the overall situation of the Serbian community in Kosovo.

"Of course, there are rules in Kosovo regarding the treatment of detainees or prisoners, but at this moment, we cannot assert with certainty that they are absolutely being followed," Pasalic concluded.