Faceless and Forgotten Victims

Abstract

The effect of wars on direct or indirect victims varies depending on the type of crime committed against them. The wars in former Yugoslavia have left a tremendous number of people with long term trauma. While a large number of people once the war is over, start rebuilding their lives trying to leave the past behind, that does not happen with victims of rape and missing persons. But then again you expect that the state is the one that will help these victims lead their way towards a better life - that does not happen either. The first category is stigmatized for life by their families and the society in general. The second category is neglected and forgotten by the state just like those people never existed. These are the two categories which are forgotten by their own society and as such are often forgotten by the International Community too. Fourteen years have passed since the war in Kosovo and these two categories remain faceless and forgotten; the first ones without a shoulder to cry on and the second ones without a grave to rest in peace. Kosovo has an obligation to recognize and support the ‘Faceless’ and the ‘Forgotten’.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n10p234