Pristina, 14 April 2025 – On this day, we honor the courage, sacrifice and suffering of the survivors, recalling our collective responsibility to seek justice and end impunity.

The Ombudsperson emphasizes that, even after 25 years since the end of the war, the order-givers and perpetrators of these grave crimes have still not been punished. This constitutes a profound injustice to the victims and a moral burden on the conscience of society. Impunity must be challenged with continued institutional and social commitment.

This impunity is contrary to the standards of international law, including international humanitarian law, international criminal law and international human rights law. These instruments oblige every state — and in this case Serbia — to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of war crimes, including sexual violence, and to cooperate with international justice mechanisms.

The Ombudsperson considers it essential that democratic countries around the world exert continuous pressure on Serbia to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators and those that gave orders of these crimes. International justice must support this effort to establish accountability and uphold human rights.

The Ombudsperson also recalls the recommendations addressed in the ex-officio report published on 31 October 2024, which highlighted concerns regarding the obstacles to the realization of rights and benefits for victims of sexual violence during the war. The main recommendations include: the provision of free health services at all levels of public care. institutionalization of psychosocial support, facilitation of provision of necessary documentation, removal of time limits for submitting requests for recognition of victim status.

The Ombudsperson calls on the responsible institutions to take concrete measures to implement these recommendations, ensuring dignified, fair and unconditional treatment for survivors of sexual violence. Justice for victims is not just a moral demand – it is a right stemming from international law and a prerequisite for sustainable peace and human dignity.