Thaci chairs Commission for Truth and Reconciliation meeting

Thaci chairs Commission for Truth and Reconciliation meeting

“The civil society and the media will have a crucial role in this commission, therefore it is important for you to be part of the project from the beginning, first by contributing with your ideas and then also with your direct commitment”, said Thaci, who noted that the Kosovo society "cannot build a better future if it remains a hostage of the past" - and added that this was the reason he took this initiative.

"The first goal of this commission will be the truth," he said, adding:

“The work of the commission can only help justice. The acceptance of the truth is essential for justice as well. Therefore, it is not about repayment of the crime. Nor will it be allowed for somebody to hide behind ignorance, falsehood, silence or concealment of crime."

"This forum will create a supporting mechanism for open internal dialogue among the communities in Kosovo and will not be a substitute for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels, which should bring reconciliation between Kosovo and Serbia," he said, according to the website.

Thaci also "stressed that this commission will gather evidence from all victims through interviews, surveys and these interviews will be adjusted to the requirements of the victims, while respecting their privacy."

“The commission will also organize public meetings, media programs and informational sessions to promote the work, findings and recommendations of the commission. It will also establish grassroots commissions which will help reconciliation at municipal level, and will sponsor the drafting of policies that will support the implementation of the recommendations of the commission," he said.

"It is natural that this commission will have to face with challenges as well, like the breaking of the conspiracy of silence of the communities, gaining the trust of victims and the trust of all communities, insistence on the implementation of the findings and recommendations of the commission and others. A challenge will also be the regional component as there are victims living abroad," Thaci said, noting that the commission "has the support of the international protagonists, especially of the EU, the OSCE and the UNDP."