TIRANA, Sept 17 /ATA/ Albania’s Parliament on Thursday came up with a draft declaration addressing the verdict of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague against former KLA leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. In the joint text, backed by both majority and opposition, lawmakers voiced deep indignation and outright disagreement with what they described as a profoundly unjust ruling against the four.
Albania’s Parliament pledged to use all international forums to denounce the crimes committed by Slobodan Milošević’s regime in Kosovo, including acts of genocide, war crimes and sexual violence during the conflict. Lawmakers also committed to seeking justice for the victims and condemned the failure of Serbian authorities to investigate these crimes, establish accountability and ensure redress.
Albania’s Parliament, through the draft declaration, committed to coordinating actions with Kosovo’s Assembly and urged both governments to harmonise their efforts in order to pursue institutional remedies to what it described as an injustice.
Below is the full draft declaration of the Parliament of Albania:
Albania’s Parliament voiced deep indignation and outright disagreement with what it described as a profoundly unjust verdict against former KLA leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.
Albania’s Parliament reiterated an indisputable historical truth: the Kosovo Liberation Army’s campaign was a struggle for freedom and the liberation of Kosovo. Lawmakers underlined that it was the fight of a people determined to end repression, violence and persecution, and to secure the right to live freely in their own land. They stressed the KLA emerged in response to systematic repression, ethnic cleansing and genocide carried out by Slobodan Milošević’s regime.
Albania’s Parliament underlined that Kosovo’s liberation cannot be understood without the war and sacrifice of the Kosovo Liberation Army against Serbian occupation. Lawmakers described the KLA as the decisive force of resistance that led to freedom, independence and statehood, stressing that Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi remain integral to that history and to Kosovo’s path towards sovereignty.
Albania’s Parliament stated that no court ruling can rewrite a people’s history, erase the liberating character of Kosovo’s war or equate the aggressor with the victim, nor diminish the sacrifice of the Kosovo Liberation Army. Lawmakers voiced grave concern over what they described as double standards in confronting the region’s violent past, pointing to public and state honours for convicted war criminals and the glorification of figures associated with genocide and ethnic cleansing — including Ratko Mladić — which they said undermine the memory of victims, obstruct reconciliation and run counter to European values.
Albania’s Parliament voiced its opposition to any attempt by Serbia or Russia to politicise the process, to relativise the crimes of Slobodan Milošević’s regime or to undermine the legitimacy of Kosovo’s liberation struggle, independence and statehood. Lawmakers affirmed their full solidarity with Kosovo, its people and institutions, and expressed support for Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi, together with their families.
Albania’s Parliament reaffirmed its unwavering belief in the innocence of the former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders and insisted that the historical truth remains equally unshaken: the KLA fought for Kosovo’s freedom and liberation. Lawmakers stressed that the verdict does not represent the final word, adding that all legal remedies and subsequent stages of the process must be pursued to the end, with full respect for the standards of due process.
Albania’s Parliament pledged to denounce, in all international forums, the crimes committed in Kosovo by Slobodan Milošević’s regime — including acts of genocide, war crimes and sexual violence. Lawmakers committed to seeking justice for the victims and condemned what they described as Serbia’s failure to investigate these crimes, establish accountability and ensure justice. The declaration also called for coordinated action with Kosovo’s Assembly and urged both governments to align their efforts to address what it termed an injustice through institutional channels.
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