The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, visited the Kosovo Center for the Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors, on the 24th anniversary of its establishment.
On this occasion, the “Vasfije Courage Award” was awarded post-mortem to Dr. Shukri Gërxhaliu, for his dedication and contribution to the rehabilitation and treatment of survivors of sexual violence during the last war in Kosovo.
In a conversation with other participants, President Osmani said that the anniversary of the Center brought us together, but as a matter of fact we are always together
“We are always together in a war that continues. It is a struggle to rise above a pain that is difficult to describe with words. It is a war to heal one of the deepest wounds that this society has”, said President Osmani.
President Osmani stated that when one talks to the survivors and when faced with these stories and sees with what extraordinary courage the women and men of Kosovo have transformed into heroes and heroines of this country, there is no way not to uplift us in order to increase our joint efforts to make sure that our fight for justice, above all our fight for justice continues and above all that it pays off.
“We recently had the first case that was confirmed in our courts with the conviction of one of the most notorious criminals involved in rape, in addition to the other crimes he has committed and there are other cases for which indictments have been filed. But it is very important that the efforts of justice institutions increase and continue so that those who have committed these monstrous crimes face justice” emphasized Madam President.
While the work of these institutions continues, President Osmani added that each and every one of us must make sure that we raise our voices here in Kosovo and in every corner of the world, so that the world knows about this pain transformed into strength of women and men of Kosovo, and according to her, a voice that most have heard through Vasfije, who has become a symbol of survivors everywhere in the world and continues this work to this day.
Madam President said that we will increase our joint efforts for the world to hear about the survivors of the Republic of Kosovo, that the world can learn from their courage, but also to see how we can continue our common cause for justice.
“As Speaker of the Assembly initially, then as President one of my main priorities has been to increase the financial support, and what may seem symbolic, but support is shown for the survivors through the Corner of Courage, even making sure that the symbols , the handiwork of survivors are in every corner of the world, on every continent, at every desk, in every world office, but also making sure that their stories are heard up to the United Nations, the European Parliament and every other institution” said the President.
President Osmani also spoke about the contribution of Dr. Shukri Gërxhaliu, who has carried out extraordinary work since the very
beginning of the war, never mentioning his work in support of women victims in a region where there is so much many victims.
“I had the pleasure last year to, in honor of Independence Day, award him the highest Presidential Medal, the Presidential Medal of Merit, for his outstanding contribution to the defense of the truth and the protection of survivors at a time when perhaps many of them did not have any doors left open to them. And during those difficult moments, which might have been the most difficult ones in the lives of these women and men, having a door to knock on, where you can seek healing is extraordinary. Because, many people have probably started to fight the stigma, provide support at a later time period . But in the years ’98-99, there were very few doors available, very few people, very few voices were providing support. Doctor Shukriu and others around the world who have given this support are been extraordinary, it is difficult to describe in words, therefore all due honor, all our respect to them, which will continue until eternity,” said President Osmani.
