Perpetrators of attack on European mission in Kosovo must be brought to justice – UN

A senior United Nations official today condemned a recent attack on two vehicles belonging to the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and called for ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Farid Zarif, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the attack that took place on 25 April as the two vehicles travelled to Brnjak/Bërnjak.

The Mission “stands in solidarity with EULEX, and reminds those who would carry out such acts that they are understood as acts against the international community as a whole, as well as against all civilized human values. Such acts must never be tolerated, regardless of motive or circumstance,” it stated in a news release.

The Mission urged all persons to cooperate fully with the investigation by EULEX, so that those responsible for the attack will be brought swiftly to justice.

UNMIK, which was set up in 1999 after North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces drove out Yugoslav troops amid deadly fighting, is mandated to help ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants of Kosovo and advance regional stability in the Western Balkans.

The Mission coordinates with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which retains the status of UNMIK’s pillar for institution building, as well as with EULEX, which has operational responsibility in the area of rule of law and operates under the overall authority of the UN.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, but Serbia does not recognize the declaration.