The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, participated today at the unveiling of the “Çast” mural in the municipality of Theranda.
In her address to the participants, Acting President Haxhiu said that in the cities of Kosovo, many things first appeared on the walls.
“Calls for protests, “Kosovo Republic” slogans, photographs of the missing, poetry. The walls of our cities have been a sign that this country continues to breathe,”, added Acting President Haxhiu.
According to her, Kosovo remembers them, even when we quickly pass by them. She further said that today, with the “Çast” mural, another truth appears on the wall.
“The “Çast” mural is dedicated to the survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo. In philosophy, the moment is often seen as more than a unit of time. Nietzsche speaks of it as a gateway. Even today, in front of this mural, the word ‘Çast’ does not invite us to think only about a past moment. It places us on a threshold: on the one hand, the memory of a crime that should never be covered up; on the other, our responsibility for justice, for dignity and for state care”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
She further said that as Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, I want to make it clear that our Republic cannot see this issue only as a memory of the war.
“It is also a matter of justice, of health, of dignity, of the way the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo function. But it is also a matter of the way a family behaves, how the neighborhood behaves towards this crime, the media as well, schools, justice institutions, and ultimately the officials of the Republic of Kosovo”, stated Acting President Haxhiu.
Because, according to her, justice does not only begin when a verdict is issued, it also begins in the office where the survivor is heard without a doubt, where privacy is preserved and where the state provides support.
“In this spirit, I have appointed Ms. Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman and Ms. Shyrete Tahiri Sulimani as special envoys on the issue of survivors of sexual violence during the war. They are doing an extraordinary job to keep alive the demand for justice, to return the recognition of survivors to the level of the state duty, and to give this issue its rightful place in the public conscience of Kosovo. Also, the Office for Support of Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War has been opened at the Presidency of the Republic of Kosovo, as a safe space for listening, for counselling, for orientation, but also for support”, said Acting President Haxhiu.
She invited all persons who were sexually violated during the war to come to the Presidency of the Republic of Kosovo whenever they think that this institution can address any of their concerns or requests.
“Of course, this support did not start today. Honourable President Jahjaga, for years you and the Jahjaga Foundation have kept the truth of people who were violated during the war, where others have often been reluctant or hesitant to take it. In places where people find it more difficult to avoid it: in art, in public space and in conversations that have not always been easy”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
According to her, the “Çast” mural is a continuation of this work, it is a tribute to people who were violated during the war, gratitude for those who have spoken, respect for those who did not want to or could not speak for known reasons, and a reminder to the rest of us that this truth can no longer be kept on the edge of public consciousness.
“For this I want to thank the Jahjaga Foundation, the municipality as well, the artists and all those who have made this mural possible. Such a work does not replace justice nor does it heal the pain but makes forgetting more difficult”, said Acting President Haxhiu.
In the end, Acting President Haxhiu said that from today, this wall is not just a part of a neighbourhood in this municipality, it is part of our memory.
“Whoever passes by it, let them know that people who should never have been left alone are honoured here”, said Acting President Haxhiu.
