UP students demand equal justice for former KLA members in front of EU Offices

The Student Parliament of the University of Pristina organized an event today in front of the European Union Offices to present the public position regarding the trial of former KLA members in The Hague.

The activity took place in the context of students' concerns about the way the court proceedings against former KLA leaders are being conducted, with closing arguments taking place this week.

Student Parliament representative, Donart Humolli, said that students of the University of Pristina, together with other student organizations, understand the complexity of justice and the importance of the rule of law as a foundation of the European Union. 

“Today we are here as students of the University of Pristina, together with the Student Parliament and all student organizations, on a day of significance for our institution, but also for our society. The University of Pristina has historically been a space of knowledge, civic responsibility and a stance on values. We understand that justice is a complex process, especially when it comes to major historical wounds. We also understand that the rule of law is one of the foundations of the European Union, and that trust in justice is a condition for long-term peace and stability,” he said.

Humolli emphasized that the students are not seeking special treatment for former KLA members, but rather equal, transparent and evidence-based justice.

"However, today we want to clearly express a concern that is present among many citizens of Kosovo: the perception that the judicial processes against former KLA leaders: Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selim, are being accompanied by unequal standards, delays and a lack of sensitivity to the historical context of the war in Kosovo. The KLA was a people's response to oppression and systematic violence. Therefore, any treatment of this history requires responsibility, care and justice that leaves no room for doubt. We do not ask for any special treatment and no bypassing of justice. We only ask for justice that is equal, transparent and based on evidence! Kosovo has been and remains committed to the Euro-Atlantic orientation. But this orientation cannot be built only on political agreements; it must be built on trust, on respect and on the same values ​​for all", he said.

He also called for strengthening trust in justice by the European Union and for avoiding any perception that justice could be seen as selective.

"Today, from this place, we call on the European Union to contribute to strengthening trust in justice and avoiding any perception that justice could be seen as selective."

"We as students want a European future, but we also want a justice that strengthens the peace and dignity of a people that has gone through sacrifices. Therefore, from here we take this opportunity to call on all students, but not only, to respond positively to the invitation for the protest on February 17, starting at 14:00 PM: JUSTICE, NOT POLITICS! Because history is not rewritten. Because justice is an obligation, not a choice. And because the patience of the citizens of Kosovo is not infinite," he said.