Establish a memorial obelisk among political prisoners in Kosovo (1945-1999)

It says: Save Kechmez - Bassa

Days ago, I directed a request to the Kosovo Policy Prisoners' Association, with the goal of initiating the establishment of a memorial obelisk in honour of all those who have served political prison in Kosovo, from 1945 to 1999.

This idea came to me as a deep spiritual and civic need, seeing that the contribution and sacrifice of political prisoners is often being overlooked or forgotten, although they were among the pillars of national resistance and freedom movement.

I believe such an obelisk would be a dignified memory act, a sign of respect and public gratitude, and a vivid lesson for new generations, never to forget the price of human freedom and dignity.

I see it as a moral and historical necessity for the Kosovo Policy Prisoners' Association to seriously address this initiative, which is not just a symbolic proposal, but a call of the national conscience to bow down to those who suffered and sacrificed for the ideal of freedom. Its commitment to the implementation of this project, in co-ordination with state institutions and civil society, would represent a high collective responsibility act and a memorial gesture exceeding any ceremonial form.

This act would be a powerful sign of respect and gratitude for all who, even for one day, have gone through the violence and darkness of Serbian prisons because of their political beliefs and national ideals. Such devotion would serve not only as a reminder act but also as a fair and delayed assessment of the sacrifice of those who contributed to the foundations of Kosovo's freedom and statehood.

Harres, in any society, is one of the most painful and dangerous wounds for collective memory. It appears silently but with profound consequences, forgetting individuals, events, and sacrifices that have built the foundations of one nation's identity and freedom. In our historical context, when years pass quickly and generations change, urgent necessity arises for society and nation to reflect deeply on our responsibility to preserve historical memory.

The prominent Kosovo figures -- those who were imprisoned, sacrificed -- and renounced any personal good for the ideal of freedom and independence -- should not be covered by the dust of oblivion. It is a moral, civic, and national duty to restore these individuals to their rightful place in common history. Only by reminding and honoring those who gave everything for freedom can we build a righteous and conscious future for the hard way we have traveled as a people.

Being a witness to the unstopling flow of time and forgetfulness that often accompanied him, I felt an internal appeal and a moral obligation not to remain silent in the face of the lack of memory of the suffering of Kosovo political prisoners. As a student devoted to this field, for years the search and record of experiences of those who sacrificed their personal freedom for the national ideal, I felt this initiative as a professional and human responsibility.

In that spirit, I formulated a request to the Association of Kosovo Policy Prisoners so that it could take the initiative to establish a memorial obelisk ʹ symbol of national conscience. This obelisk would be not just a physical structure but a profound act of social reflection and humility toward our painful history, which would give voice and tangible form of collective memory. It would be a place where new generations could stop to meditate on the price of freedom and to realize that it was not a gift, but the fruit of the resistance and sacrifice of those who went through the darkness of political prisons without ever breaking into their ideal for a free and sovereign Kosovo.

yesterday (17 July, 2025), was for me and my husband, Prof. Dr. Tefiq Basha, a moment of deep reflection and commitment to our collective memory. Together we visited the facilities of the Kosovo Policy Prison Society, where it received us with special warmth and respect, Mr. Chief Sadiku a familiar figure of Albanian resistance, former political prisoner, wise man and with deep wisdom, who still feels and embodys the burden of suffering and dignity of that generation that did not bow down.

With a special sense of gratitude and symbolic, during the visit to the Society's environments, we were fortunate to meet with one of the most emblems of Albanian resistance Mr. Selatin Novosella, a precious veteran of the national cause and suffering of the political prison, who has dedicated his life entirely to serving Kosovo freedom and dignity.

Meeting him was a deep, inspiring experience. In a warm, reflective atmosphere, we had an open, honest conversation in which Mr. Novosella, with the experience, wisdom, and devotion that characterizes her, immediately expressed firm support for our initiative. As always when it comes to issues affecting historical justice and honoring political prisoners, he appeared uncompetitive in his will to make concrete contributions.

At this symbolic and content meeting, I had the pleasure of granting Mr. Chairman of the Association. Saddam two of my latest works: <x0) as well as “Secret TOP evidence of the misuse and deformities of the Yugoslav state security service in Kosovo (194566)”, a copy of it personally and two others for the Society's library fund, hoping that these publications will serve as valuable evidence for scholars and generations who want to understand more deeply the history of our printing and resistance.

However, our discussion about books did not end with the act of donation to recent publications. Further postponing the discussion, I asked whether the Society's library included the other works I have published over the years, which cover the history of Albanian political prisoners in the space of the former Yugoslavia in detail and documentary. In a calm and sincere tone, he confirmed that they were missing.

At that moment, I felt it as a personal responsibility and an intellectual obligation to promise to bring all those books for the Society's library fund. Among these will be the most volumeful and comprehensive edition of me: Albanian political prisoners in the former Yugoslavia 19451990” A work that with documented archive data and analysis testifies to the dramatic size of the depression: 666 centuries, 72 years and 7 months of imprisonment that Albanians experienced in the cells of the Yugoslav oppressive system, only because of their national affiliation and their political positions.

This act, beyond the symbolic donation, is an effort to restore and strengthen collective memory by establishing knowledge and record in the ministry of historical truth and social conscience.

After a pleasant and very conservative conversation, where many issues related to our common past and the need to keep it from forgetting were touched, I presented the purpose of our visit, the surrender of the official request for the initiative of building a memorial obelisk in the center of Pristina a monument that would represent our historic conscience, the honor of political prisoners, and the collective memory of a painful but glorious era of our people.

In Mr. Chief Sadik, a genuine sense of joy and approval for the proposed initiative was clearly discerned, not only by personal experience but also by awareness of the importance of historical memory in building a national conscience. He accepted the request with a sense of commitment, opened it, and read it aloud, giving her the attention of a symbolic act of national and social weight.

After reading, he commended me for the initiative, calling it a bold and necessary step toward the eternity of the sacrifice of political prisoners. He expressed cautious optimism that with the co-operation and support of all responsibilities, both state institutions and the conscientious and sympathetic individuals of the national issue we can bring this initiative to full realization. His humble and firm faith confirmed the conviction that our cause has echoed and sustained where it should, in the hearts and consciences of those who bear the memory of the sacrifice and of the freedom effort.

After careful consideration, our request was officially protocold to the evidence of the Association of Political Prisoners, thus taking institutional form and procedural weight under its activity. Chairman of the Society, Mr. Chief Sadiku, devotedly assured us that she will be included on the agenda of the next chairmanship's first meeting, enabling all members of the Steering Forum to discuss and seriously address this initiative.

His position was filled with optimism and genuine confidence that this proposed initiative will find support and will be successfully demonstrated. This positive attitude not only encouraged us but strengthened our conviction that we took a necessary and just step. We praised this cooperative spirit and goodwill, believing that uniting intellectual, moral and institutional energy will enable the implementation of a project that serves not only historical memory but also the nation's collective conscience.

The submitted request contained this content:

SERCH

For establishing an obelisk for Albanian political prisoners during Yugoslav occupation

Pointed:

Kosovo Political Prisoners Association

Honored head of the U.S.P.K., Mr. Chief Sadiku

Honored representatives of the Society,

With this requirement, I want to express the deepest respect for the historical contribution of all those who, in the most difficult periods of our history, sacrificed their freedom and lives for the great ideal of Kosovo's freedom and independence.

Today, more than ever, we need to preserve and honor the collective memory of our people especially of those men and women who were imprisoned, persecuted, and sacrificed by the Yugoslav regime simply because they wanted to be free on their land.

In that spirit, I propose and demand that your Association, in collaboration with state and municipal institutions, take the initiative to establish one O B E PREVENTAL LISK in a symbolic country in downtown Pristina or in a historic public space in honour of Albanian political prisoners during the Yugoslav occupation.

This obelisk would serve not only as a symbolic act of honour and gratitude for resistance and sacrifice, but also as a public testimony to the painful history of the Albanian people in Kosovo for today and future generations.

Knowing the important role that your Society played in preserving and recording our historical memory, I believe you will welcome this initiative and engage in its fulfillment, with the dedication and seriousness that characterizes you.