Ristanovic: Resolution on the “protection of the truth about the KLA war” continues pressure on Kosovo Serbs

Historian Petar Ristanovic told Kosovo Online that the resolution “on truth and the dignity of war victims,” adopted by the Assembly of Kosovo, could be dangerous and may be used as a form of pressure on Serbs in Kosovo, who could constantly be subject to investigations or arrested for alleged war crimes.

“I believe it may have a negative effect, not only on interethnic relations but also in creating tensions over a longer period. On the one hand, for Serbs living in Kosovo and Metohija or those who fled but still visit their homes and property, the tension continues – that they can constantly be subject to some kind of investigation. We have witnessed cases where, 26 or 27 years after the war, someone who has visited Kosovo multiple times is suddenly arrested and accused of war crimes,” Ristanovic said.

He also questions the possibility of historical research under such circumstances.

“On the other hand, this resolution opens up another possible problem. Under the guise of protecting the dignity of victims, it essentially attempts to solidify and carve into stone a single truth about the war, whereby any questioning of it could carry criminal liability. Does that mean that a historian who questions the commonly accepted truth about that war could be subject to criminal prosecution?” he said.

As an example, Ristanovic cites the Kosovo government’s estimate of 20,000 victims of wartime sexual violence, claiming that international institutions and numerous organizations dispute that number. The World Health Organization, citing local organizations, states that the number of victims of this war crime ranges between 10,000 and 20,000, while Siobhan Hobbs, who dealt with this issue in her work for the UN, argues that the exact number is not known.

“Also, if one of the victims on the Serbian side, or someone whose family members were victims of KLA crimes during the war, speaks about their experience – could they be subject to criminal prosecution, given that one of the commonly accepted truths in Kosovo is that the KLA did not commit war crimes? Many questions and potentially many problems,” he added.

According to him, by adopting this resolution, freedom of speech of all citizens of Kosovo, including Albanians, is endangered.

“I believe there are fellow historians who will, especially with the passage of time, be more willing to speak and research topics related to the war, as well as what preceded it and what happened immediately afterward,” he said, adding that the resolution is an attempt to prevent research and re-examination of events during the war.

Ristanovic says he does not expect a reaction from international organizations, and if there is one, he adds, it will have no practical effect.

“I truly have no hope that anyone will react and, if they do, it will be a mild reaction on social media, on paper, without real effect. We have witnessed many times that such things happen and I see no reason or possibility that this time will be different. On the other hand, I believe this resolution is harmful and potentially dangerous, and I believe it will be used as a form of pressure, which will have negative consequences,” Ristanovic concluded.