Pasalic: Torture was undeniably carried out on Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, absence of reactions is concerning

Zoran Pasalic, the Protector of Citizens, says that it is unquestionable that torture has been inflicted on Serbs in Kosovo, but he is concerned about the lack of international community reactions, Blic reports.

"It is not just torture; it is also the prevention of living a normal life," Pasalic said, adding that torture cannot be justified even in a state of war.

He emphasized the importance of knowing what is happening to Serbian citizens in Kosovo. When asked if there is political will to resolve the issue, he stated that at the time the reaction was absent.

Pasalic specified that determining responsibility for what is happening in Kosovo is not within the jurisdiction of the Protector of Citizens and emphasized that their actions relate to all institutions that should have reacted and whose basic responsibility is to respond when there is suspicion of torture inflicted on an individual or a larger number of people, or when testimony or communication is based on causing pain or psychological suffering to someone, linked to giving a statement, or during the process of proving something.

"We have addressed almost all international institutions dealing with the protection of individuals from torture, disclosure, and sanctioning. So far, we have received a response only from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the European institution that specifically deals with protection from torture and prevention of its occurrence," Pasalic said for Tanjug.

When asked what else they could do, Pasalic stated that they would use everything at their disposal and reach out to those for whom this is not their primary activity but who should draw public attention to what is happening in northern Kosovo, as it is not allowed according to the Convention.

Pasalic considered it a precedent that contradicted general legal principles when Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti read a list of Serbs for arrest.

"No one reacts in a single case, and that is what shocked us," he said.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that even NGOs in Kosovo did not react.