Kosovo

Cluster Munition Ban Policy

Last updated: 05 July 2016

Summary: Kosovo cannot accede to, or attend meetings of, the Convention on Cluster Munitions due to its political status. Its officials have expressed support for the convention’s objectives.

Background

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, but its international status is disputed.[1] Kosovo is not able to become a UN member state and thus is not eligible to adhere formally to international instruments such as the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Policy

Kosovo last made a statement regarding the ban on cluster munitions in March 2010 when a spokesperson for the self-declared Republic of Kosovo told the Monitor, “In principle, as a country that has been through war, Kosovo supports the initiatives to reduce and ban arms, including the policy to ban cluster ammunition.” He stated that Kosovo does not possess any cluster munitions.[2]

Forces of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia used cluster munitions during the 1998–1999 conflict in Kosovo.[3] Additionally, aircraft from the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and the United States dropped cluster bombs in Kosovo during the 1999 NATO air campaign.[4]



[1] As of June 2014, the declaration of independence was recognized by 110 states and Taiwan. Serbia considers the declaration illegal and still views Kosovo as its southern territory.

[2] Email from Memli Krasniqi, Spokesperson, Republic of Kosovo, 30 March 2010. He wrote, “KFOR [Kosovo Protection Force] is the mission responsible for issues related to defense, while Kosovo institutions have certain limitations in this field. Consequently, Kosovo does not have stocks of any kind of explosive device or other weapons.”

[3] Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Landmine Action, Banning Cluster Munitions: Government Policy and Practice (Mines Action Canada, May 2009), p. 238.

[4] The three countries dropped 1,765 cluster bombs containing 295,000 submunitions in what is now Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo. HRW, “Civilian Deaths in the NATO Air Campaign,” Vol. 12, No. 1(D), February 2000. See also HRW, “Cluster Munition Information Chart,” March 2009; Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), “Yellow Killers: The Impact of Cluster Munitions in Serbia and Montenegro,” 2007; and NPA, “Report on the Impact of Unexploded Cluster Munitions in Serbia,” January 2009.


Mine Ban Policy

Last updated: 11 August 2012

Background

The status of Kosovo is disputed. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. As of October 2011, the declaration of independence had been recognized by 88 states. However, Serbia considers the declaration illegal and still views Kosovo as its southern territory. Kosovo has not been able to become a UN member state and so is not eligible to adhere formally to international instruments such as the Mine Ban Treaty.

Policy

A spokesperson for the self-declared Republic of Kosovo told the Monitor in March 2010 that Kosovo strongly supports a policy of banning antipersonnel mines and other explosive and deadly devices. The spokesperson stated that there has been no initiative in the Kosovo Assembly to draft a law banning mines, but this did not preclude the possibility of such a law in the future.[1]

The spokesperson said that Kosovo does not possess antipersonnel mines.[2] Some possession and trafficking of mines by criminal groups has been reported in the media.[3]

 



[1] Email from Memli Krasniqi, Spokesperson, Republic of Kosovo, 30 March 2010.

[2] Ibid.

[3] According to media reports, in April 2010 Macedonian police reportedly seized antipersonnel mines, antivehicle mines, and other weapons from five bunkers near the border with Kosovo. This followed a skirmish between the police and what they described as “uniformed persons” from “an extremist group” in Kosovo. “Macedonian IM: Weapons threat to region,” B92 (Skopje), 30 April 2010, www.b92.net. Another report on the same day said that the Kosovo Police, Kosovo Protection Service, and Kosovo Force officers arrested several people with a quantity of weapons and uniforms of the Kosovo Liberation Army in an area adjacent to the bunkers in Macedonia. Landmines were not mentioned among the weapons seized, and authorities could not confirm a connection to the other incident. “Police finds [sic] more weapons near Blace,” Macedonian International News Agency, 30 April 2010, www.macedoniaonline.eu/.


Mine Action

Last updated: 25 November 2016

Contaminated by: landmines (light contamination), cluster munition remnants (medium contamination), other unexploded ordnance (UXO), and abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO). 

Kosovo cannot accede to the Mine Ban Treaty or the Convention on Cluster Munitions due to its political status

At the end of 2015, mine contamination covered 2.5km2. Almost 0.22km2 was cleared, with the destruction of 41 antipersonnel mines (no mines were found in three clearance tasks). 25,000m2 was canceled by non-technical survey (NTS).

At the end of 2015, contamination from cluster munition remnants covered an estimated 16km2, double the size reported at the end of 2014. A total of 0.34km2 of cluster munition-contaminated area was cleared in 2015, and 8.9km2 was confirmed by NTS as cluster munition contaminated. 

Recommendation for action

  • The Kosovo authorities should make a formal commitment to respect and implement the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions and to clear all landmines and cluster munition remnants as soon as possible.

Contamination

Kosovo is contaminated by mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), including cluster munition remnants, primarily as a result of the conflict between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in the late 1990s, and between FRY and NATO member states in 1999.[1]

The UN reported in 2002 that “the problems associated with landmines, cluster munitions and other items of unexploded ordnance in Kosovo have been virtually eliminated,”[2] however further investigation revealed considerably more contamination.[3]

Mines and cluster munition contamination prevent people from using land for agriculture, pasture, tourism, infrastructure, and collecting firewood, and most directly affect the rural poor.[4]

Mine Contamination

At the end of 2015, 69 confirmed mined areas remained covering 2.5km2.[5] This is down from 77, covering 2.75km2, as of the end of 2014.[6]

Both antipersonnel and antivehicle mines were used during the conflict, in fixed-pattern minefields as well as more randomly in “nuisance” minefields. Many antipersonnel mines had minimum-metal content, making detection more difficult.[7]

In 2013, HALO Trust and the Kosovo Mine Action Center (KMAC) conducted a joint NTS of minefields and cluster munition strikes across Kosovo, with the exception of four districts in the north. The survey confirmed 79 mined areas covering 2.76km2.[8] The 79 mined areas was a considerable increase on the total of 48 mined areas that had been identified at the end of 2012.[9] By the end of 2014, KMAC reported the number of confirmed mined areas had fallen slightly to 77 over 2.75km2.[10]

Mines are found mainly on Kosovo’s borders with Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, but also in the area of Dulie Pass in southcentral Kosovo.[11]

Cluster Munition Contamination

At the end of 2015, contamination from cluster munition remnants in Kosovo covered an estimated 16km2 across 55 areas.[12] This compares to 51 areas, over 7.69km2, at the end of 2014.[13] The increase in baseline cluster munition contamination in 2015 is due to almost 8.9km2 of previously unrecorded contamination confirmed by NTS in northern Kosovo during the year.[14]

NATO aircraft bombed 333 locations between 24 March and 10 June 1999 (Operation Allied Force), dropping 1,392 bombs that released more than 295,700 submunitions.[15] Forces of the FRY also used cluster munitions during the 1998–1999 conflict in Kosovo.[16] The failure rate of the submunitions was typically between 10–15%, resulting in tens of thousands of unexploded submunitions lying on and under the ground. A large clearance program followed in 1999 under a UN mandate, but this ended prematurely in 2001, leaving many cluster munition-contaminated areas still needing to be cleared.[17]

The HALO/KMAC NTS conducted in 2013 (see section on mine contamination above) identified 51 cluster munition strikes, covering 7.63km2.[18] 

In 2015, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), in coordination with KMAC and local municipality authorities, conducted NTS of the four northern municipalities, which were not covered in the 2013 survey.[19] The NTS confirmed 8.9km2 of cluster munition contamination in three municipalities (Leposavić́, Zubin Potok, and Zvečan). No cluster munition contamination was found in the fourth municipality of Mitrovica North.[20] On the basis of available evidence, NPA believes that 83 cluster bombs were dropped in this region, dispersing a total of 17,041 submunitions.[21] 

Kosovo consists of a small amount of land with a relatively large population, and cluster munition remnants often exist in close proximity to human activity.[22] The 2015 NTS in northern Kosovo revealed that of the confirmed cluster munition-contaminated area, 43% is mountainous, in area intended for tourism (a key developmental potential for the region); 25% is agricultural land; and 23% forests.[23] In the three cluster munition-contaminated provinces surveyed in northern Kosovo, NPA identified 995 local inhabitants as being directly vulnerable, and a further 1,027 as indirectly vulnerable.[24]

Other ERW

In addition, Kosovo remains affected by other ERW. Most ERW consists of unexploded air-dropped bombs (located mainly in the west of the province) and items of AXO. However, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams continue to encounter items of UXO dating back to World War II.[25] Kosovo Protection Force (KFOR) EOD teams regularly dispose of items of AXO in response to information provided by the public and demining organizations.[26]

Program Management

KMAC, under the Ministry of the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF), is responsible for managing clearance of mines and ERW. It prepares an annual workplan in cooperation with demining NGOs and coordinates operations of both the NGOs and KFOR. It also coordinates survey, quality assurance (QA), risk education, public information, and victim assistance.[27]

An evaluation of Kosovo’s mine action program in 2014 was conducted on behalf of the International Trust Fund (ITF) Enhancing Human Security. The evaluation concluded that, “The strategic and annual planning systems of KMAC are sound, IMSMA is well used, national mine action standards appear to be consistent with IMAS, and the quality management system is comprehensive and implemented effectively by the Director of KMAC and his two QA inspectors.”[28]

Strategic planning

A 2015–2018 multi-year strategic plan for the Kosovo mine action program aims to reduce the social, economic, and environmental impact of mines, cluster munition remnants, and UXO in Kosovo.[29]

Operators

The KSF provide clearance capacity in Kosovo, including round-the-clock EOD emergency response.[30] In addition, NGOs also conduct land release in Kosovo: HALO Trust, the Bosnia-based Mine Detection Dog Centre (MDDC), MAT Kosovo, and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA). MDDC received United States (US) funding in 2015, but only for mine clearance and not cluster munition clearance; and MAT Kosovo was not funded to operate in either 2014 or 2015.[31] 

Capacity in 2015 remained the same as in 2014.[32] HALO Trust deployed 50 demining personnel and 24 operational staff on cluster munition clearance.[33] The KSF operated three platoons with 75 deminers also trained for battle area clearance (BAC), and a fourth platoon with 25 deminers also trained solely to conduct EOD rapid response tasks.[34] 

Land Release (Mines)

A total of almost 0.22km2 of mined area was released by clearance in 2015. No area was reported as reduced by technical survey, and 25,000m2 was canceled by NTS.

Survey in 2015 (mines)

In 2015, HALO Trust canceled one suspected hazardous area (SHA), totaling 25,000m2.[35]

Clearance in 2015 (mines)

The KSF and HALO Trust cleared a total of just under 0.22km2 in 2015,[36] compared to 0.84km2 containing mines and/or cluster munition remnants in 2014,[37] when BAC and mine clearance was not disaggregated in KMAC’s reporting.

Mine clearance in Kosovo in 2015[38]

Operator

Areas cleared

Area cleared (m2)

AP mines destroyed

AV mines destroyed

UXO destroyed

KSF

2

43,386

5

0

0

HALO

11

173,623

36

2

37

Total

13

217,009

41

2

37

Note: AP = antipersonnel; AV = antivehicle

The KSF used mine detection dogs (MDDs) in one of their clearance operations.[39]

HALO conducted clearance in the Gjakove, Prizren, Ferizaj, and Prishtine regions of Kosovo. Despite focusing on confirmed mined areas, no mines were found in three of HALO’s clearance tasks.[40] According to HALO, this could have been due to mines having already been cleared by previous clearance operators or removed by locals over the years.[41]

According to KMAC, confirmed mined areas with high impact are prioritized for clearance, based on the number, location, and livelihoods of communities at risk, and prospects for development.[42]

Land Release (Cluster Munition Remnants)

A total of 0.34km2 of cluster munition-contaminated area was released by clearance in 2015. No area was reported as reduced by technical survey, or canceled by NTS, but 8.9km2 was confirmed by NTS as cluster munition contaminated.

Survey in 2015 (Cluster munition remnants) 

In 2015, NPA conducted both desk study and field-based NTS in Kosovo, in cooperation with KMAC, confirming 30 areas as cluster munition contaminated across nine communities in three municipalities. In total, almost 8.9km2 was confirmed as cluster munition contaminated (see table below).[43] No area was canceled or reduced by technical survey.

NTS of cluster munition-contaminated areas in 2015[44]

Municipality

Community

Areas confirmed

Area confirmed (km²)

Leposavić́

Belo Brdo

3

0.71

Guvnište

3

1.31

Zubin Potok

Brnjak

1

0.70

Čečevo

4

1.50

Oklace

3

1.95

Bube

2

0.72

Banje

2

0.09

Zvečan

Boljetin

2

0.14

Zaza

10

1.77

Total

 

30

8.89

 

The results of the NTS will form the basis for Kosovo’s future cluster munition land-release strategy for northern Kosovo.[45]

Clearance in 2015 (cluster munition remnants)

KSF and HALO Trust collectively cleared a total of just under 0.34km2 in 2015 (see table below).[46] While it is impossible to make a direct comparison, as data in previous years was not disaggregated between mines and cluster munition remnants, the 0.34km2 of cluster munition-contaminated area cleared in 2015 represents a decrease compared to 2014.[47] 

Clearance of cluster munition-contaminated areas in 2015[48]

Operator

Areas cleared

Area cleared (m2)

Submunitions destroyed

UXO destroyed

KSF

1*

275,932

38

456

HALO

2

61,766

25

2

Total

3

337,698

63

458

Note: * An additional three tasks were suspended due to the end of the demining season

In 2015, KSF released one confirmed hazardous area (CHA) and worked on three others that were suspended at the end of the demining season.[49]

Cluster munition contamination was only found to exist in one of HALO’s two clearance tasks (the task located in Zhub/Gjakova).[50] No submunitions were found in the second task in Landovice/Prizren, due to the fact that the main task had been cleared in 2014, and then suspended during winter due to adverse weather conditions. Fadeout was completed in 2015, during which no further submunitions were found.[51]

HALO Trust deminers average clearance of 100m2 a day on cluster munition strike sites, reflecting the constraints on clearance posed by steep gradients, dense vegetation, and heavy-metal contamination.[52] 

According to KMAC, cluster munition-contaminated areas with high impact are prioritized for clearance, based on the number, location, and livelihoods of communities at risk, and also taking into consideration risk education and development. Clearance operations mostly focus on areas confirmed as cluster munition contaminated rather than on suspected hazardous areas.[53]

Progress towards completion

Misinformation persists that mine and cluster munition clearance were completed in 2001, whereas the reality is that significant contamination remains to be cleared. Kosovo needs economic assistance to help it complete mine clearance in a timely manner, otherwise completion risks being prolonged to decades after the end of the conflict.[54]

At current rates of clearance, Kosovo will still be mine-affected a decade from now. 

Mine clearance and BAC in 2010–2015[55]

Year

Area cleared (km2)*

2015

0.56

2014

0.84

2013

0.40

2012

0.69

2011

0.98

2010

0.48

Total

3.61

Note: * Includes mine and battle area clearance.

The 2014 evaluation concluded that the KSF and HALO Trust, continuing with their existing capacity and procedures, would not be in a position to complete cluster munition clearance operations before 2026. The evaluation report suggested that if both organizations, with existing capacity, had access to Handheld Standoff Mine Detection Systems (HSTAMIDs) and adopted NPA’s cluster munition remnants survey (CMRS) methodology, clearance could be completed in nine years.[56] The report recommends that trials be conducted of the use of HSTAMIDs and of the CMRS methodology in Kosovo. It also strongly recommends the use of MDDs.[57] HSTAMIDS were introduced to HALO’s program in 2015 to increase clearance rates.[58]

 

The Monitor gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the Mine Action Review supported and published by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), which conducted mine action research in 2016 and shared it with the Monitor. The Monitor is responsible for the findings presented online and in its print publications.



[1] See, UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), “UNMIK OKPCC EOD Management Section Annual Report 2005,” Pristina, 18 January 2006, p. 2; and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Explosive Remnants of War, Cluster Bombs and Landmines in Kosovo (Revised Edition, Geneva, June 2001), pp. 6 and 15.

[2] “UNMIK Mine Action Programme Annual Report – 2001,” Mine Action Coordination Cell, Pristina, undated but 2002, p. 1.

[3] HALO Trust, “Failing the Kosovars: The Hidden Impact and Threat from ERW,” 15 December 2006, p. 1.

[4] Email from Ahmet Sallova, Kosovo Mine Action Centre (KMAC), 12 April 2016; and from Andrew Moore, Caucasus and Balkans Desk Officer, HALO Trust, 1 October 2016.

[5] Email from Ahmet Sallova, Head, KMAC, 12 April 2016.

[6] Ibid., 18 March 2015.

[7] ICRC, “Explosive Remnants of War, Cluster Bombs and Landmines in Kosovo,” June 2001, p. 15.

[8] HALO Trust, “Action on cluster munitions in Kosovo,” Side event, Convention on Cluster Munitions First Review Conference, Dubrovnik, 10 September 2015.

[9] Email from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 20 February 2014.

[10] Ibid., 18 March 2015.

[11] Ibid., 30 July 2013.

[12] Ibid., 12 April 2016.

[13] Ibid., 18 March 2015.

[14] Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), “Cluster Munition Remnants in Northern Kosovo: non-technical survey of contamination and impact,” September 2015; and email from Goran Peršić, Project Manager, NPA Kosovo, 13 May 2016.

[15] ICRC, Cluster Bombs and Landmines in Kosovo: Explosive Remnants of War (Geneva, rev. June 2001), pp. 4 and 6; and HALO Trust, “Action on cluster munitions in Kosovo,” 10 September 2015.

[16] Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Landmine Action, Banning Cluster Munitions Government Policy and Practice (Mines Action Canada, Ottawa, 2009), p. 238; and ICRC, Cluster Bombs and Landmines in Kosovo: Explosive Remnants of War (Geneva, rev. June 2001), p. 6.

[17] A. Moore, HALO Trust, “Action on cluster munitions in Kosovo,” Side event, Convention on Cluster Munitions First Review Conference, Dubrovnik, 10 September 2015.

[18] Ibid.

[19] NPA, “Cluster Munition Remnants in Northern Kosovo: non-technical survey of contamination and impact,” September 2015; and email from Goran Peršić, NPA Kosovo, 13 May 2016.

[20] Ibid.

[21] NPA, “Cluster Munition Remnants in Northern Kosovo: non-technical survey of contamination and impact,” September 2015.

[22] A. Moore, “Action on cluster munitions in Kosovo,” Side event, Convention on Cluster Munitions First Review Conference, Dubrovnik, 10 September 2015.

[23] NPA, “Cluster Munition Remnants in Northern Kosovo: non-technical survey of contamination and impact,” September 2015, pp. 7 and 18.

[24] Ibid.

[25] UNMIK, OKPCC EOD Management Section Annual Report 2008 (Pristina, 12 January 2009), p. 4.

[26] Email from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 1 August 2012.

[27] Ibid.

[28] ITF Enhancing Human Security, “An evaluation of Kosovo’s Mine Action Programme,” Alastair McAslan, Strathfillan Consultancy, 28 July 2014, p. 13.

[29] Ibid., 12 April 2016; and email from Andrew Moore, HALO Trust, 2 June 2016.

[30] A. Moore, HALO Trust, “Action on cluster munitions in Kosovo,” Side event, Convention on Cluster Munitions First Review Conference, Dubrovnik, 10 September 2015.

[31] Email from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 7 June 2016.

[32] Ibid.

[33] Emails from Admir Berisha, Kosovo Programme Manager, HALO Trust, 24 May 2016; and from Andrew Moore, HALO, 1 October 2016.

[34] Email from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 7 June 2016.

[35] Ibid. HALO clarified that this was actually reduced by technical survey, but that the database in Kosovo is not set up for handling this. Email from Andrew Moore, HALO Trust, 18 October 2016.

[36] Emails from Andrew Moore, HALO Trust, 1 October 2016; and from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 12 April 2016. There were inconsistencies between HALO and KMAC data, with KMAC reporting that HALO cleared 113,984m2 and destroyed 33 antipersonnel mines, two antivehicle mines, and nine UXO, during which five CHAs were released, three suspended, and one canceled, as at the end of the 2015 demining season. Email from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 12 April 2016.

[37] Email from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 18 March 2015.

[38] Emails from Andrew Moore, HALO Trust, 1 October 2016; and from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 12 April 2016. There is a discrepancy in the reported data, as KMAC reported that HALO cleared 113,984m2, 33 antipersonnel mines, two antivehicle mines, and nine UXO (with five mined areas cleared, three suspended, and one discredited).

[39] Email from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 12 April 2016.

[40] Emails from Andrew Moore, HALO Trust, 1 October 2016; and from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 12 April 2016.

[41] Email from Andrew Moore, HALO Trust, 1 October 2016.

[42] Email from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 12 April 2016.

[43] Ibid.; and from Goran Peršić, NPA, 13 May 2016; and NPA, “Cluster Munition Remnants in Northern Kosovo: non-technical survey of contamination and impact,” September 2015.

[44] Email from Goran Peršić, NPA, 13 May 2016; and NPA, “Cluster Munition Remnants in Northern Kosovo: non-technical survey of contamination and impact,” September 2015, p. 23.

[45] Email from Goran Peršić, NPA, 13 May 2016.

[46] Email from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 12 April 2016.

[47] Ibid.

[48] Emails from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 12 April 2016; from Admir Berisha, HALO Trust, 24 May 2016; and from Andrew Moore, HALO Trust, 2 June 2016.

[49] Emails from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 12 April 2016; from Admir Berisha, HALO Trust, 24 May 2016; and from Andrew Moore, HALO Trust, 2 June 2016.

[50] Email from Andrew Moore, HALO Trust, 2 June 2016.

[51] Ibid.

[52] Ibid., 21 May 2015, and 8 July 2015.

[53] Email from Admir Berisha, HALO Trust, 24 May 2016.

[54] HALO Trust, “Action on cluster munitions in Kosovo,” Side event, Convention on Cluster Munitions First Review Conference, Dubrovnik, 10 September 2015.

[55] See Landmine Monitor and Mine Action Review reports on Kosovo covering 2011–2014.

[56] ITF Enhancing Human Security, “An evaluation of Kosovo’s Mine Action Programme,” Alastair McAslan, Strathfillan Consultancy, pp 11–12.

[57] Ibid., pp. 10 and 14.

[58] Email from Andrew Moore, HALO Trust, 18 October 2016.


Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 06 October 2016

In 2015, three donors contributed some US$335,000 to mine action in Kosovo. Switzerland was the largest donor with CHF250,000 ($204,902).[1]

International contributions: 2015[2]

Donor

Sector

Amount (national currency)

Amount ($)

Switzerland

Clearance

CHF250,000

204,902

United States

Various

US$99,669

99,669

Norway

Capacity-building

NOK250,000

30,986

Total

 

 

335,557

 

Since 2011, international assistance to mine action in Kosovo has varied significantly. While contributions have totaled more than $3 million, they have not exceeded more than $500,000 in the past two years.

Summary of contributions: 2011–2015[3]

Year

Amount ($)

% change from previous year

2015

335,557

+10

2014

304,173

-37

2013

485,069

-64

2012

1,330,814

+73

2011

768,162

-45

Total

3,223,775

 

 



[1] Switzerland, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 28 April 2016; email from Ingrid Schoyen, Senior Adviser, Section for Humanitarian Affairs, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 24 May 2016; and ITF Enhancing Human Security, “Annual Report 2015,” April 2016, p. 22.

[2] Average exchange rate for 2015: CHF0.9628=US$1; NOK1=US$8.0681. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2016.

[3] See previous Monitor reports. 


Casualties and Victim Assistance

Last updated: 12 July 2016

Casualties

Casualties Overview

All known casualties by end 2015

575 mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW) casualties (116 killed; 459 injured)

Casualties in 2015

1 (2014: 5)

2015 casualties by outcome

0 killed; 1 injured (2014: 1 killed; 4 injured)

2015 casualties by item type

1 ERW (2014: 2 unexploded submunitions; 3 ERW)

 

One new ERW casualty was reported in Kosovo in 2015. A civilian was injured in an incident with a hand grenade.[1] Five cluster submunition and ERW casualties were reported in Kosovo in 2014.[2]

The 2015 casualty figure is a decrease from 2014 and similar to 2013 when no mine/ERW casualties were reported.[3] In 2012, seven mine/ERW casualties were identified in Kosovo in four separate incidents.[4] No casualties from antipersonnel mines in minefields have been reported in Kosovo since 2004.

Between 1999 and 2014, 575 mine/ERW casualties (116 killed; 459 injured) were identified in Kosovo. More than three quarters of all mine/ERW casualties (438 or 76%) were recorded between 1999 and 2000.[5]

Cluster munition casualties

At least 180 casualties from incidents involving unexploded submunitions were recorded between 1999 and the end of 2014. This total includes two new cluster munition casualties recorded in two separate incidents in 2014.[6] An additional 25 casualties, which occurred during cluster munition strikes in 1999, were also recorded.[7]

Victim Assistance

Protection of the rights of persons with disabilities is overseen by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.[8] Legislation to ensure equal access to services for persons with disabilities exists, but implementation was challenging and administrative procedures required simplification. Inadequate institutional support and health services, and poor accessibility, hindered fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities. Kosovo needed to improve the integration of persons with disabilities through better implementation of its 2013-2023 strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities and the strategy’s action plan for 2013-2015. Health and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities are insufficient. Physical access to public institutions remained a challenge. The National Disability Council failed to adequately promote the rights of persons with disabilities through implementation of the strategy and action plan because it lacked support for undertaking its coordinating role from the Office for Good Governance, which is led by the office of the Prime Minister.[9]

 



[1] Email from Ahmet Sallova, Head, Kosovo Mine Action Center (KMAC), 4 May 2016.

[2] Ibid., 4 March 2015.

[3] Email from Andrew Moore, HALO Trust, 25 June 2013.

[4] Email from Ahmet Sallova, KMAC, 30 September 2013.

[5] Ibid.; and “List of Mine/UXO Civilian Victims in Kosovo 1999–2010,” provided by email from Bajram Krasniqi, Ministry for the Kosovo Security Force (MKSF), 21 March 2011.

[6] Handicap International (HI), Circle of Impact: The Fatal Footprint of Cluster Munitions on People and Communities (Brussels: HI, May 2007), p. 69; “Mine wounds two children in Kosovo,” Agence France-Presse (Pristina), 9 April 2007; “Land mine explodes in Kosovo; 4 children injured,” International Herald Tribune, 9 November 2007; email from Bajram Krasniqi, UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), 5 May 2009; and telephone interview with Bajram Krasniqi, UNMIK, 1 July 2009.

[8] United States Department of State, “2015 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Kosovo,” Washington, DC, 13 April 2016.

[9] European Commission, “Kosovo 2015 Report,” Commission Staff Working Document, 10 November 2015, pp. 12, 20, and 24.