Costett for the appointment of Selimi adviser to Government: Condemned war criminals have no place in Kosovo government

The number one US in Kosovo, Philip Costnet, said convicted war criminals have no place in the Kosovo government. It was prompted by the YIHR's reaction, which reacted thus against the appointment of Sylejman Selimi, adviser to Prime Minister Ramush Haradiaj.

The ambassador wrote on Twitter that convicted war criminals have no place in the Government of Kosovo, while urging Kosovo leaders not to support such individuals.

The condemned war criminals have no place in the Kosovo government. Leaders of all sides must end the support of such individuals. Such support questions Kosovo's commitment to rule of law. Glad to see groups from different communities talking in a voice of”, he wrote.

Yesterday, Your Initiative for Human Rights Kosovo ( YIHR Kosovo) and Your Initiative for Human Rights Serbia ( YIHR Serbia -- through a communique sent to the media, have strongly condemned and rejected Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj's decision to appoint former KLA commander Sylejman Selimi as political adviser.

Until January 25th of this year, when he was released on parole, Mr. Selimi was in prison serving his 7 (seven) years sentence for war crimes against the civilian population during 1998-1999. Except for Mr. Haradinaj, other state leaders have visited Sylejman Selimi after being released from prison and named him hero of the Albanian people. President of Kosovo, Mr. Hashim Thaci, has said that with the live hero, General Sylejman Selimi in freedom, Kosovo is better and safer --”, said the communique of this organisation.

Such appointments and statements, the organisation says, “for us are extremely disturbing and therefore unacceptable”.

“The persons who have committed war crimes must stay away from state institutions that serve all Kosovo citizens, indiscriminately. The decision to appoint Mr. Selimi as political adviser tells of the government's non-satisfaction for justice, reconciliation and peace” is further highlighted in the communique.

YIHR ʹ Kosovo and Y Serbia, like organisations working in the encounter with the past and transitional justice, appeal to all political leaders in Kosovo “to stop any plans for involvement and honouring war criminals in political and public life”.

Their main “Pokus should be in recognition and achievement of justice for victims, survivors/att and persons not found by the war in Kosovo. We, as young people from Kosovo and Serbia, will always oppose honoring war criminals in both states. We will continue to reject unilateral stories of history and work to build peace and reconciliation between the two peoples”, the response of Y organisations concludes. The IHR in Kosovo and Serbia.
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has named him political adviser, which he confirmed for Koha.net also from the Kosovo government.