4 months agoVasfije Krasniqi for confronting Serb deputies in the Assembly: I'll have a hard time
Periskopi(5 years ago)
(5 years ago)The MP, elected from the ranks of the Vetevendosje Movement, Vasfije Krasniqi-Goodman, says she will fight for justice and breaking stigma to victims of sexual violence during the recent war in Kosovo. In this interview for Radio Free Europe, Krasniqi-Godman, who is a survivor of sexual violence during the war, also speaks of [...]
In this interview for Radio Free Europe, Krasniqi-Goodman, who is survivors of sexual violence during the war, also speaks of its eventual involvement in the dialogue process with Serbia.
Mrs. Krasniqi-Goodman, who has long lived in the United States of America and decided to return with families to Kosovo. Why?
Vasfije Krasniqi-Goodman: Now, after being locked up in politics, I'd like to live here with my family, so I'm not alone, and because I hate traveling a little bit, and it costs me to have my family here so I don't often travel between Kosovo and America.
Why do you decide to race for deputy?
Vasfije Krasniqi-Goodman: Tell the truth, I never had the idea or the desire to compete in politics, but when the first offer from political parties in Kosovo came, I refused the first one, when the second came I decided to join the Vetevendosje Movement, because to push my causes ahead, such as justice, and how the victims of sexual violence are treated during the Kosovo war.
Did you expect to have all this support from citizens?
Vasfije Krasniqi-Goodman: I had strong support, I had text messages, phone calls, where I know. They were very supportive. As you know, I didn't campaign, I didn't expect to have such great support without campaigning. It was kind of weird to me.
A year ago, in a speech at the Kosovo Assembly, you have been critical of Kosovo society even all those who haven't helped women, who stigmatize them. You ever thought you'd be elected as an MP?
Vasfije Krasniqi-GoodmanNo, I never thought about it. This was a quick decision, it wasn't something I thought I'd be an MP. Now that I am, I hope to be a strong voice for survivors and push my cause forward, as I said before, and as an MP to see things from the inside, to see how the victims are treated.
How did you make the decision to get into politics?
Vasfije Krasniqi-Goodman: Of course I talked to my family, both with my family in Kosovo and with my family in America because it's a new thing to me, I'm not a politician, but since I decided to get on the list, it was the last moment. I can say it was just before the names were delivered the MP's list when I decided. I told them yes, I'm going in on your list and I decided quickly.
What will you be engaged in as deputy of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo?
Vasfije Krasniqi-Goodman: You know, number one for me is justice. Have justice for all victims of the Kosovo war, push ahead. Likewise, the stigma, to break the stigma because in Kosovo the victims are still very stigmatized by both family, society and institutions. These two are my intentions why I want to be in parliament. Even for other things, for all victims of war because as we know, there are not many Serbs who have been convicted of crimes they have committed in Kosovo, regardless of whether they are for killings, massacres, for violations. So I am there to seek justice and to remind the state of Kosovo (to) fight more for justice, but Serbia, to remind every day of what he did in Kosovo 22 years ago... because we have forgotten little war crimes.
Serb deputies will also be present at the Kosovo Assembly Hall. How will you treat them?
Vasfije Krasniqi-GoodmanLook, it's gonna be hard for me, since they're the Serb side and we all know what they've done and who's leading them. Of course they are led by the state of Serbia. But when you work with a joint institution in Kosovo, you have to find that balance and respect is mutual, it is not unilateral. It will be a little difficult, but it depends on how they deal with me, and I treat them as they deserve it.
You have had the position that the voice of victims of sexual violence should be heard in the dialogue process with Serbia. Still think so, and what will be your contribution to the matter?
Vasfije Krasniqi-Goodman: The voice must be heard. As far as I know, violence has never been mentioned in any (process) dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. It's something to be mentioned. Now, whether I'm going to be a part of it or not is up to someone else, not me. But, specifically, if I'm going to be a participant there, I'm going to mention Serbia's crimes because I'm a living witness for Serbia's crimes and they have to face the past and not deny the crimes they've committed.
