The situation in Kosovo: A stock taking

Following the end of the Kosovo conflict, the task of locating, recovering and identifying missing persons was primarily undertaken by international organizations. After more than a decade of intensive efforts, approximately half of all persons reported missing from the conflict have been located, accurately identified and returned for burial by families.

ICMP's primary technical responsibility in Kosovo has been to provide UNMIK and today EULEX with a DNA-led system of identifications. That assistance has been delivered pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding that UNMIK and ICMP signed in November 2003 and which continues to serve as the basis for support to EULEX.

In addition to exploring recent initiatives and providing a stock taking of ICMP's work, the following sections seek to summarize information as is available from ICMP to contribute to improving domestic capacity. This stock taking report cannot replace either a much needed societal appraisal or a joint review by international actors. However, it aims to advance the notion that only closer international cooperation with the objective of enabling domestic mechanisms can ensure a lasting benefit to peace, justice and reconciliation.