Serbian Ministry of Justice: Pristina's decision to expel Serbs constitutes ethnic cleansing

The Serbian Ministry of Justice stated that what it called a shameful and legally unsustainable decision by the "provisional institutions in Pristina, to ban Serbs who have residence and homes in the territory of Kosovo from returning to their homes and families, solely on the basis of their ethnicity and employment in Serbian state institutions, represents a gross violation of fundamental human rights and a direct blow to the legal order."

The Ministry emphasized that it will initiate proceedings to protect fundamental human rights through all available domestic and international legal mechanisms and will pursue not only political but also criminal accountability for all those violating basic human rights.

It added that banning individuals from entering their own homes and living with their families is not only an act of political repression, but clearly constitutes ethnic cleansing.

The Ministry of Justice demands an urgent response from UNMIK and EULEX, as well as from all donors who support the work of the provisional institutions in Pristina, in order to stop this practice and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

The statement points out that for every such act that leaves Serbs without the right to a home, and the right to private and family life, the international community bears full responsibility. It also adds that there has been too much selective justice and restraint where a concrete response has long been required from all those obligated to act under UN Resolution 1244.