Pristina, 26 August 2010

“The 30th August, 2010 marks the 27th International Day of the Disappeared. This day serves to raise awareness to the authorities, the press and general public of the plight of the Missing and their families worldwide. This is a sensitive issue which affects thousands of people in Kosovo and it is of the utmost importance for EULEX.

This is why EULEX assists the Department of Forensic Medicine (DFM) of the Kosovo Ministry of Justice in its intensive efforts to determine the fate of the Missing. Additionally, EULEX/DFM coordinates intensively with family associations, individual families and several other stakeholders.

Since EULEX began working with the Department of Forensic Medicine (formerly the Office on Missing Persons and Forensics) in December 2008, the remains of 169 victims from the conflict have been returned to their families. These include more than 100 missing persons who have been found following intensive field work (212 field operations), laboratory analysis (intensive autopsy and identification work, including over 1000 bone samples selected for DNA analysis) and archival reviews (over 2000 case files).

Press Contacts:

Kristiina Herodes, Justice Spokesperson, +386 49 78 1586