COMMEMORATION OF THE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR MARCH 17, 2004

Commemoration of the Day of Remembrance for March 17, 2004 - Pogrom in the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija

COMMEMORATION OF THE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR MARCH 17, 2004

TL;DR

  • On March 17-18, 2004, an organized pogrom against Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija resulted in 16 deaths, hundreds injured, over 4,000 displaced, and the destruction of over 1,000 structures.
  • A commemorative event was held in Belgrade, attended by Serbian officials, to mark the Day of Remembrance for the 2004 Pogrom.
  • Officials emphasized that the pogrom was a failure of international law and a systematic persecution of Serbs, their culture, faith, and identity.
  • Speakers highlighted the need to remember the victims, preserve the truth, and pass it on to future generations, while also advocating for the safe return of Serbs to their homes.
  • The event underscored the ongoing struggle for justice, with perpetrators of the pogrom remaining unpunished.
  • Officials vowed that Serbia would not forget the victims and would continue to fight for the dignity and safety of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija through diplomatic and legal means.
  • The rebuilding of the Bogorodica Ljeviška church was cited as a symbol of resilience and the possibility of return for the displaced.