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{{Short description|Ethnic violence in Kosovo}}
{{redirect2|Pogrom against the Serbs|March Pogrom|other uses|Anti-Serb riots in Sarajevo}}
{{Infobox civil conflict {{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2004 unrest in Kosovo<br />March Pogrom
|campaign=
| campaign =
|image=Downtown_Vista_with_Ruins_of_Serb_House_Destroyed_in_2004_Pogrom_-_Prizren_-_Kosovo.jpg
| image = {{multiple image|border=infobox|perrow=2/2/2/1|total_width=300
|caption=Overgrown ruins of a Serb-owned house that was destroyed by the rioters.
| image1 = Kosovo-metohija-koreni-duse048.jpg
|date=17–18 March 2004
| image2 = Kisha e Shen Spasit Shelbuesit - Prizren 01.jpg
|place=], ]
| image3 = Downtown Vista with Ruins of Serb House Destroyed in 2004 Pogrom - Prizren - Kosovo.jpg
|result=*27 dead (11 Albanians and 16 Serbs), thousands of non-Albanian civilians forced to leave homes<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3551571.stm | work=BBC News | title=Kosovo clashes 'ethnic cleansing' | date=20 March 2004 | accessdate=22 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="B92-1">B92.net, '''', 18 March 2011</ref>
| image4 = Kosovo-metohija-koreni-duse016.jpg
*935 houses and 35 ] churches ], damaged or destroyed<ref></ref><ref name="b92">{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2010&mm=03&dd=17&nav_id=65852|title=Six years since March violence in Kosovo |publisher=] |date=17 March 2010 |accessdate=7 September 2015}}</ref>
| footer_align = center
*Inclusion of ] in the ]<ref>{{cite web|title=Kosovo: Protection and Conservation of a Multi-Ethnic Heritage in Danger|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001389/138966eb.pdf|publisher=]|date=April 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Between Cultural Diversity and Common Heritage: Legal and Religious Perspectives on the Sacred Places of the Mediterranean|url=https://books.google.rs/books?id=VqCrBAAAQBAJ&lpg=PA237&ots=zK_giqE7_i&dq=kosovo%20heritage%20in%20danger&hl=sr&pg=PA228#v=onepage&q=kosovo%20heritage%20in%20danger&f=false|date=2014}}</ref>
| footer = Ruins of Serbian houses and Serbian Orthodox monasteries
|side1= ] ]
|side2= ] ]
|primaryleaders1=
|primaryleaders2=
|howmany1=] Unknown
|howmany2=] Over 50,000<ref></ref>
|casualties1=
|casualties2=
}} }}
| caption =
The worst ethnic violence in ] since the end of the 1999 conflict erupted in the partitioned town of ], leaving hundreds wounded and at least 14 people dead. ] peacekeepers and ] troops scrambled to contain a raging gun battle between Serbs and ethnic Albanians.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fourteen dead as ethnic violence sweeps Kosovo|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/18/balkans|website=theguardian.com|accessdate=17 March 2018}}</ref> In Serbia the events were also called the March Pogrom.
| date = 17–18 March 2004<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=03|day1=17|year=2004|month2=03|day2=18|year2=2004}})
| place = ]
| result = *27 dead (16 ] and 11 ]) and more than 8000 Serbs expelled from Kosovo.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3551571.stm | work=BBC News | title=Kosovo clashes 'ethnic cleansing' | date=20 March 2004 | access-date=22 April 2010 | archive-date=18 May 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518134221/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3551571.stm | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="B92-1">B92.net, '' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624123506/https://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2011&mm=03&dd=18&nav_id=73300 |date=2020-06-24 }}'', 18 March 2011</ref>
*935 houses and 35 ] churches and monasteries ], damaged or destroyed<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/culture-and-heritage|title=Culture and Cultural Heritage at the Council of Europe - Homepage - Culture and Cultural Heritage - www.coe.int|website=Culture and Cultural Heritage|access-date=2023-05-27|archive-date=2015-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230335/http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/cooperation/see/countries/kosovo_en.asp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="b92">{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2010&mm=03&dd=17&nav_id=65852 |title=Six years since March violence in Kosovo |publisher=] |date=17 March 2010 |access-date=7 September 2015 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929083109/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2010&mm=03&dd=17&nav_id=65852 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Inclusion of ] in the ]<ref>{{cite web|title=Kosovo: Protection and Conservation of a Multi-Ethnic Heritage in Danger|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001389/138966eb.pdf|publisher=]|date=April 2004|access-date=2018-02-23|archive-date=2013-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215010920/http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001389/138966eb.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Between Cultural Diversity and Common Heritage: Legal and Religious Perspectives on the Sacred Places of the Mediterranean|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VqCrBAAAQBAJ&q=kosovo+heritage+in+danger&pg=PA228|date=2014|isbn = 9781472426017|last1 = Ferrari|first1 = Professor Silvio|last2 = Benzo|first2 = Dr Andrea| publisher=Ashgate Publishing }}</ref>
*Burning of mosques in Belgrade and other places in Serbia<ref name="bbc-no-evidence" />
| side1 = ]
| side2 = ]
| primaryleaders1 =
| primaryleaders2 =
| howmany1 = Unknown
| howmany2 = Over 50,000<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.csis.gc.ca/pblctns/cmmntr/cm87-eng.asp |title=Commentary No. 87: The Status of Kosovo: Political and Security Implications for the Balkans and Europe |access-date=2012-02-13 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121217101130/https://www.csis.gc.ca/pblctns/cmmntr/cm87-eng.asp |archive-date=2012-12-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
}}
{{History of Kosovo}}
{{History of Serbia}}
On 17–18 March 2004, violence erupted in ], leaving hundreds wounded and at least 19 people dead. The unrest was precipitated by unsubstantiated reports in the ] media which claimed that three Kosovo Albanian boys had drowned after being chased into the ] by a group of ]. ] peacekeepers and ] troops scrambled to contain a gun battle between ] and ] in the partitioned town of ] before the violence spread to other parts of Kosovo.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fourteen dead as ethnic violence sweeps Kosovo|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/18/balkans|website=The Guardian|date=18 March 2004|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828003156/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/18/balkans|url-status=live}}</ref> Serbs call the event the '''March Pogrom''' ({{langx|sr|Мартовски погром|translit=Martovski pogrom}}),<ref>{{cite web |author1=The Government of the Republic of Serbia |title=The March Pogrom (2004) |url=https://www.srbija.gov.rs/kosovo-metohija/en/8923 |access-date=9 December 2019 |archive-date=17 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517182804/https://www.srbija.gov.rs/kosovo-metohija/en/8923 |url-status=live }}</ref> while the Albanians call it the '''March Unrest''' ({{langx|sq|Trazirat e marsit}}).


The violence resulted in the displacement of more than 4,000 Kosovo Serbs and other minorities. More than 935 houses, along with 35 ] churches, monasteries and other religious buildings were destroyed. International and domestic courts in ] have prosecuted people who have taken part in the violence, including those who attacked several Serbian Orthodox churches, handing down prison sentences ranging from 21 months to 16 years.<ref name="osce2008">{{cite web |title=Four Years Later: Follow up of March 2004 Riots Cases before the Kosovo Criminal Justice System |url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/e/1/32700.pdf |website=osce.org |pages=3-4, 23 |date=July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bitter Memories of Kosovo's Deadly March Riots|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/bitter-memories-of-kosovo-s-deadly-march-riots|website=balkaninsight.com|date=17 March 2015|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=4 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004210424/http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/bitter-memories-of-kosovo-s-deadly-march-riots|url-status=live}}</ref> Some of the destroyed churches have since been rebuilt by the ] in cooperation with the ] and the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rindërtimi i kishave serbe në Kosovë pritet të përfundojë këtë vit|url=https://www.dw.com/sq/rind%C3%ABrtimi-i-kishave-serbe-n%C3%AB-kosov%C3%AB-pritet-t%C3%AB-p%C3%ABrfundoj%C3%AB-k%C3%ABt%C3%AB-vit/a-5363804|language=sq|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=17 March 2010|access-date=9 February 2020|archive-date=14 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514190234/https://www.dw.com/sq/rind%C3%ABrtimi-i-kishave-serbe-n%C3%AB-kosov%C3%AB-pritet-t%C3%AB-p%C3%ABrfundoj%C3%AB-k%C3%ABt%C3%AB-vit/a-5363804|url-status=live}}</ref> The events led to protests in Serbia, and the burning of mosques in ] and other places.<ref name="b92" /><ref name="bbc-no-evidence" />
International courts in Pristina have prosecuted several people who attacked several Serbian Orthodox churches, handing down jail sentences ranging from 21 months to 16 years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bitter Memories of Kosovo’s Deadly March Riots|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/bitter-memories-of-kosovo-s-deadly-march-riots|website=balkaninsight.com|accessdate=17 March 2018}}</ref>


{{TOC limit|2}} {{TOC limit|2}}


==Background== ==Background==
The ] (KLA) was an ethnic-Albanian ] organisation which had as its founding goal unification of Albanian inhabited lands in the Balkans, stressing ], ethnicity and nation.<ref name="Yoshihara68">{{harvnb|Yoshihara|2006|p=68}}.</ref><ref name="Perritt29">{{harvnb|Perritt|2008|p=29}}.</ref><ref name="KoktsidisDam165166">{{harvnb|Koktsidis|Dam|2008|pp=165-166}}.</ref> Conflict escalated from 1997 onward due to the Yugoslavian army retaliating with a crackdown in the region resulting in violence and population displacements.<ref name="Yoshihara71">{{harvnb|Yoshihara|2006|p=68}}.</ref><ref name="Goldman308373">{{harvnb|Goldman|1997|pp=308, 373}}.</ref><ref name="Allan178">{{harvnb|Allan|Zelizer|2004|p=178}}.</ref> The bloodshed, ethnic cleansing of thousands of Albanians driving them into neighbouring countries and the potential of it to destabilize the region provoked intervention by international organizations and agencies, such as the United Nations, NATO and ]s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jordan|first=Robert S.|title=International organizations: A comparative approach to the management of cooperation|p=129|year=2001|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780275965495}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Yoshihara|first=Susan Fink|chapter=Kosovo|pp=67-68|editor1-last=Reveron|editor1-first=Derek S.|editor2-last=Murer|editor2-first=Jeffrey Stevenson|title=Flashpoints in the War on Terrorism|year=2006|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781135449315}}</ref> Some people from non-Albanian communities such as the Serbs and Romani fled Kosovo fearing revenge attacks by armed people and returning refugees while others were pressured by the KLA and armed gangs to leave.<ref name="Herring232234">{{harvnb|Herring|2000|pp=232-234}}.</ref> Post conflict Kosovo was placed under an international United Nations framework with the '']'' (UNMIK) overseeing administrative affairs and the '']'' (KFOR) dealing with defence.<ref name="Herring232">{{harvnb|Herring|2000|p=232}}.</ref> Within post-conflict Kosovo Albanian society, calls for retaliation for previous violence done by Serb forces during the war circulated through public culture.<ref name="Herscher14">{{harvnb|Herscher|2010|p=14}}.</ref> In 2004, prolonged negotiations over Kosovo's future status, sociopolitical problems and nationalist sentiments resulted in the Kosovo unrest.<ref name="RauschBanar246">{{harvnb|Rausch|Banar|2006|p=246}}.</ref><ref name="Egleder79">{{harvnb|Egleder|2013|p=79}}.</ref> The ] (KLA) was an ethnic-Albanian organisation which had as its founding goal unification of Albanian inhabited lands in the Balkans, stressing ], ethnicity and nation.<ref name="Yoshihara71">{{harvnb|Yoshihara|2006|pp=67–68}}.</ref><ref name="Perritt29">{{harvnb|Perritt|2008|p=29}}.</ref><ref name="KoktsidisDam165166">{{harvnb|Koktsidis|Dam|2008|pp=165–166}}.</ref> Conflict escalated from 1997 onward due to the Yugoslav army retaliating with a crackdown in the region resulting in violence and population displacements.<ref name="Yoshihara71"/><ref name="Goldman308373">{{harvnb|Goldman|1997|pp=308, 373}}.</ref><ref name="Allan178">{{harvnb|Allan|Zelizer|2004|p=178}}.</ref> The bloodshed, ethnic cleansing of thousands of Albanians driving them into neighbouring countries and the potential of it to destabilize the region provoked intervention by international organizations and agencies, such as the United Nations, NATO and ]s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jordan|first=Robert S.|title=International organizations: A comparative approach to the management of cooperation|page=129|year=2001|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780275965495}}</ref><ref name="Yoshihara71"/> Some people from non-Albanian communities such as the Serbs and Romani fled Kosovo fearing revenge attacks by armed people and returning refugees while others were pressured by the KLA and armed gangs to leave.<ref name="Herring232234">{{harvnb|Herring|2000|pp=232–234}}.</ref> Post conflict Kosovo was placed under an international United Nations framework with the '']'' (UNMIK) overseeing administrative affairs and the '']'' (KFOR) dealing with defence.<ref name="Herring232">{{harvnb|Herring|2000|p=232}}.</ref> Within post-conflict Kosovo Albanian society, calls for retaliation for previous violence done by Serb forces during the war circulated through public culture.<ref name="Herscher14">{{harvnb|Herscher|2010|p=14}}.</ref> In 2004, prolonged negotiations over Kosovo's future status, sociopolitical problems and nationalist sentiments resulted in the Kosovo unrest.<ref name="RauschBanar246">{{harvnb|Rausch|Banar|2006|p=246}}.</ref><ref name="Egleder79">{{harvnb|Egleder|2013|p=79}}.</ref>


==Prelude== ==Prelude==
===Shooting of Serbian teen=== ===Shooting of Serbian teen===
On 15 March 2004 an 18-year-old Serb, Jovica Ivić, was murdered in a drive-by shooting in the village of ] in the central region of Kosovo.<ref name="15march-B92">{{cite news|title=U Čaglavici pucano na srpskog mladića iz automobila u pokretu|url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2004&mm=03&dd=15&nav_category=12&nav_id=135320|accessdate=21 December 2014|agency=Beta|publisher=B92|date=15 March 2004}}</ref> On 15 March 2004 an 18-year-old Serb, Jovica Ivić, was shot and wounded in a drive-by shooting in the village of ] in the central region of Kosovo.<ref name="15march-B92">{{cite news|title=U Čaglavici pucano na srpskog mladića iz automobila u pokretu|url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2004&mm=03&dd=15&nav_category=12&nav_id=135320|access-date=21 December 2014|agency=Beta|publisher=B92|date=15 March 2004|archive-date=4 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204185207/http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2004&mm=03&dd=15&nav_category=12&nav_id=135320|url-status=live}}</ref>


===16 March pro-KLA protests=== ===16 March pro-KLA protests===
Line 34: Line 47:


===Drowning of Albanian children=== ===Drowning of Albanian children===
On 16 March, three Albanian children drowned in the Ibar River in the village of Čabar, near the Serb community of ]. A fourth boy survived. It was speculated that he and his friends had been chased into the river by Serbs in revenge for the shooting of Ivić the previous day, but this claim has not been proven.<ref name="bbc-no-evidence">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3667839.stm | publisher = BBC | title = No evidence over Kosovo drownings | date=2004-04-28 | accessdate=2010-01-05}}</ref> On 16 March, three Albanian children drowned in the Ibar River in the village of ], near the Serb community of ]. A fourth boy survived. It was speculated that he and his friends had been chased into the river by Serbs in revenge for the shooting of Ivić the previous day, but this claim has not been proven.<ref name="bbc-no-evidence">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3667839.stm | publisher = BBC | title = No evidence over Kosovo drownings | date = 2004-04-28 | access-date = 2010-01-05 | archive-date = 2012-02-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120204075342/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3667839.stm | url-status = live }}</ref>


UN police spokesman Neeraj Singh said the surviving boy had been under intense pressure from ethnic Albanian journalists who had suggested what he should say. His version of events differed from that of two other children who had also been in the river, Singh told a news conference in Pristina. The spokesperson said there were "very significant" inconsistencies in the accounts given by the child during two separate interviews, and a lack of corroboration of his story. "In fact, it is logically at odds in several respects with other evidence," Mr. Singh said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/146375|title=Lack of evidence stalls probe into drowning of 3 Kosovo children, UN Mission says|work=ReliefWeb|accessdate=15 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="setimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/bs/features/setimes/features/2004/04/040429-SVETLA-001|title=UN Investigation Clears Serbs of Kosovo Drownings|date=29 April 2004|publisher=|accessdate=15 February 2015}}</ref> The UN found no evidence that Serbs were responsible for drowning the three Albanian children.<ref name="setimes.com"/> UN police spokesman Neeraj Singh said the surviving boy had been under intense pressure from ethnic Albanian journalists who had suggested what he should say. His version of events differed from that of two other children who had also been in the river, Singh told a news conference in Pristina. The spokesperson said there were "very significant" inconsistencies in the accounts given by the child during two separate interviews, and a lack of corroboration of his story. "In fact, it is logically at odds in several respects with other evidence," Mr. Singh said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/146375|title=Lack of evidence stalls probe into drowning of 3 Kosovo children, UN Mission says|work=ReliefWeb|date=28 April 2004 |access-date=15 February 2015|archive-date=8 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108124419/http://reliefweb.int/node/146375|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="setimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/bs/features/setimes/features/2004/04/040429-SVETLA-001|title=UN Investigation Clears Serbs of Kosovo Drownings|date=29 April 2004|access-date=15 February 2015|archive-date=4 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232900/http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/bs/features/setimes/features/2004/04/040429-SVETLA-001|url-status=live}}</ref> The UN found no evidence that Serbs were responsible for drowning the three Albanian children.<ref name="setimes.com"/>


==Violence== ==Violence==
] that was destroyed by rioters.]] ] that was destroyed by rioters.]]


On 17 and 18 March 2004, a wave of violent riots swept through Kosovo, triggered by two incidents perceived as ethnically-motivated acts. Demonstrations, although seemingly spontaneous at the outset, quickly focused on Kosovo Serbs throughout Kosovo. On 17 and 18 March 2004, a wave of violent riots swept through Kosovo, triggered by two incidents perceived as ethnically motivated acts. Demonstrations, although seemingly spontaneous at the outset, quickly focused on Serbs throughout Kosovo.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}}
27 people were killed (11 Kosovo Albanians, 16 Kosovo Serbs), more than 900 persons were injured (including 65 international police officers and 58 Kosovo Police Service officers), and more than 800 buildings destroyed or damaged (including 29 churches or monasteries). By one estimate, more than 50,000 people participated in the riots. The Legal System Monitoring Section of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo (“the OSCE”) has closely monitored the investigations and trials from March 2004 until present. With its monitoring of 73 cases (Municipal, District and Minor Offences Courts) pending between December 2005 and March 2008, the OSCE now follows up on a first report of December 2005.<ref>{{cite web|title=Organization for Security an d Co-operation in Europe MISSION IN KOSOVO Monitoring Department, Legal System Monitoring Section|url=https://www.osce.org/kosovo/32700?download=true|website=osce.org|publisher=OSCE|accessdate=17 March 2018}}</ref>


Thousands of Albanians gathered at the south end of the bridge across the Ibar at ], which divides the Serb and Albanian districts of the town. A large crowd of Serbs gathered at the north end to prevent the Albanians from crossing. Peacekeepers from the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) blockaded the bridge, using tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to keep the crowds apart. However, gunmen on both sides opened fire with sub-machine guns and grenades, killing at least eight people (two Albanians and six Serbs) and wounding over 300. Eleven peacekeepers were also injured, of which two seriously. Thousands of Albanians gathered at the south end of the bridge across the Ibar at ], which divides the Serb and Albanian districts of the town.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}} A large crowd of Serbs gathered at the north end to prevent the Albanians from crossing. Peacekeepers from the NATO-led ] (KFOR) blockaded the bridge, using tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to keep the crowds apart.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}}


The violence quickly spread to other parts of Kosovo, with Kosovo Serb communities and Serbian cultural heritage (churches and monasteries) attacked by crowds of Albanians. Serb returnees were attacked.{{sfn|B92 Specijal|2004}} Some of the locations were ostensibly under the protection of KFOR at the time. During the riots and violence, eight Serbs were killed. Among damaged property were at least 35 churches, including 18 ], demolished, burnt or severely damaged.<ref name="B92-1"/> The casualty toll at the end of the day was 28 and 600 people were injured, including 61 peacekeepers and 55 police officers. The violence quickly spread to other parts of Kosovo, with Kosovo Serb communities and Serbian cultural heritage (churches and monasteries) attacked by crowds of Albanians. Serb returnees were attacked.{{sfn|B92 Specijal|2004}} Some of the locations were ostensibly under the protection of KFOR at the time. During the riots and violence, at least 35 churches were damaged, including 18 ], which were demolished, burnt or severely damaged.<ref name="B92-1"/> According to ], the violence resulted in the deaths of nineteen people; 8 Kosovo Serbs and 11 Kosovo Albanians. More than a thousand were wounded including more than 120 KFOR personnel.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}} More than 4,000 Serbs were driven out of their homes and more than 900 houses belonging to non-Albanians were burned.<ref>{{cite web |title=11 years since "March Pogrom" of Serbs in Kosovo |url=https://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2015&mm=03&dd=17&nav_id=93505 |website=B92 |date=17 March 2015 |access-date=17 November 2020 |archive-date=13 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713170845/https://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2015&mm=03&dd=17&nav_id=93505 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By one estimate, more than 50,000 people participated in the riots.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Çollaku |first1=Petrit |title=Deadly 2004 Unrest 'Damaged Kosovo's Image' |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2015/03/18/march-events-have-faded-kosovo-s-image/ |website=BalkanInsight |date=18 March 2015 |access-date=17 November 2020 |archive-date=23 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523210134/https://balkaninsight.com/2015/03/18/march-events-have-faded-kosovo-s-image/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Čaglavica=== ===Čaglavica===
In ], 12,000 Kosovo Albanian rioters tried to storm the Serb-populated areas. Norwegian ] peacekeepers created a blockade by using tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades, in order to keep the two groups apart. A truck was driven by a Kosovo Albanian at full speed towards the barricade in an attempt to penetrate the line. After firing warning shots at the truck, the Norwegians had to use deadly force to avoid friendly casualties, and shot the driver. 16 Norwegian peacekeepers were injured, and 13 of them had to be evacuated.<ref name="forsvaret-video">{{cite AV media|people=Kjell-Olav Myhre |year=2014 |title=Kosovo 2004: 12000 kosovoalbanerne angriper den kosovoserbiske landsbyen Caglavica |trans-title=Kosovo 2004: 12000 Kosovo Albanians assault the Kosovo Serb village of Caglavica|language=Norwegian |url=http://forsvaret.no/sites/video/PublishingImages/veterandagen-2014-kjellolav/veteran-2014-kjellolavmyhre.mp4 |accessdate=2014-05-09|publisher=Forsvaret (Norwegian Armed Forces)|deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714072330/http://forsvaret.no/sites/video/PublishingImages/veterandagen-2014-kjellolav/veteran-2014-kjellolavmyhre.mp4 |archivedate=2014-07-14}}</ref> Another KFOR unit consisting of mostly Swedish soldiers also participated in defending Čaglavica that day, supported by people from the barracks who normally worked with non-military tasks. Lieutenant Colonel Hans Håkansson, who commanded 700 people during the unrest, reported that the fighting went on for 11 hours, and that many collapsed due to dehydration and broken limbs while struggling to fend off waves of rioters.<ref name=Zaremba>{{cite news|last=Zaremba|first=Maciej|title=Mandom, mod och landstingstossor|url=http://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/kulturdebatt/mandom-mod-och-landstingstossor/|accessdate=9 May 2014|newspaper=Dagens Nyheter|date=15 June 2007}}</ref> In total, 35 people were injured while defending the town.<ref name=Zaremba/> Hans Håkansson was awarded with a medal for his actions by the ] in 2005.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gotländsk militär får belöningsmedalj|url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=94&artikel=729267|accessdate=11 January 2015|agency=Sveriges Radio|publisher=P4 Gotland|date=8 November 2005}}</ref> In ], 12,000 Kosovo Albanian rioters tried to storm the Serb-populated areas. ] peacekeepers from Sweden, Norway and Finland led by Swedish Lieutenant Colonel Hans Håkansson created a blockade by using tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades, in order to keep the two groups apart. A truck was driven by a Kosovo Albanian at full speed towards the barricade in an attempt to penetrate the line. After firing warning shots at the truck, the peacekeepers had to use deadly force to avoid friendly casualties, and shot the driver. 16 peacekeepers were injured, and 13 had to be evacuated.<ref name="forsvaret-video">{{cite AV media|people=Kjell-Olav Myhre|year=2014|title=Kosovo 2004: 12000 kosovoalbanerne angriper den kosovoserbiske landsbyen Caglavica|trans-title=Kosovo 2004: 12,000 Kosovo Albanians assault the Kosovo Serb village of Caglavica|language=no|url=http://forsvaret.no/sites/video/PublishingImages/veterandagen-2014-kjellolav/veteran-2014-kjellolavmyhre.mp4|access-date=9 May 2014|publisher=Forsvaret (Norwegian Armed Forces)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714072330/http://forsvaret.no/sites/video/PublishingImages/veterandagen-2014-kjellolav/veteran-2014-kjellolavmyhre.mp4|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref>


Another KFOR unit consisting of mostly Swedish soldiers also participated in defending Čaglavica that day, supported by people from the barracks who normally worked with non-military tasks. Lieutenant Colonel Hans Håkansson, who commanded 700 people during the unrest, reported that the fighting went on for 11 hours, and that many collapsed due to dehydration and injuries while struggling to fend off waves of rioters.<ref name=Zaremba>{{cite news|last=Zaremba|first=Maciej|title=Mandom, mod och landstingstossor|url=http://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/kulturdebatt/mandom-mod-och-landstingstossor|access-date=9 May 2014|newspaper=Dagens Nyheter|date=15 June 2007|archive-date=20 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420152751/http://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/kulturdebatt/mandom-mod-och-landstingstossor/|url-status=live}}</ref> In total, 35 people were injured while defending the town.<ref name=Zaremba/> Hans Håkansson was awarded with a medal for his actions by the ] in 2005.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gotländsk militär får belöningsmedalj|url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=94&artikel=729267|access-date=11 January 2015|agency=Sveriges Radio|publisher=P4 Gotland|date=8 November 2005|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213918/http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=94&artikel=729267|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Peć===
Albanians rioted in the city of ], attacking ] offices. One Albanian was killed by UN police.{{sfn|B92 Specijal|2004}} Serb returnees were attacked at ].{{sfn|B92 Specijal|2004}}


===Lipljan=== ===Pristina===
Following the attacks in ], the mob of Albanians turned their attention on the few remaining Serbs living in ] in the YU Program apartments.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}} The apartments came under attack after the mob of Albanians blocked all of the entrances and set fire to the ground floors. Serbs who tried to flee the apartments were shot at by firearms or stabbed by members of the crowd. The mob began to loot apartments and were chanting pro ] chants and calling for the killing of Serbs.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}} It took ] (mainly Irish Soldiers) and ] police over 6 hours to evacuate the Serbs who were under constant fire from armed Albanians. Following the evacuation the crowd began to converge on the ] burning and damaging the facade and inside.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}}
Albanians and KFOR were engaged in gunfights in the town of ]. Four Serbs were murdered, while Serbs taking refuge in the local Orthodox church were attacked.{{sfn|B92 Specijal|2004}}


===Vučitrn=== ===Peja===
Albanians rioted in the city of ], attacking ] offices.{{sfn|B92 Specijal|2004}} One knife-wielding Albanian was shot and killed by UN police in the village of ] where Serb returnees were attacked. They sheltered at the local church. When they were ordered to evacuate, the Italian KFOR troops did not approach the church, leaving the evacuees vulnerable to attacks; 11 required first aid treatment for their injuries.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}}
All Serb houses in the Serb-inhabited village of ] in Vučitrn, near Kosovska Mitrovica, were burnt down.<ref name=Zaremba/>

===Obiliq===
In the town of ], burning of Serb homes took place along with the ]. Witnesses state that ] officers did not intervene and some participated in the violence.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}}

===Lipjan===
Albanians and ] were engaged in gunfights in the town of ]. Four Serbs were murdered, while Serbs taking refuge in the local Orthodox church were attacked.{{sfn|B92 Specijal|2004}}

===Vushtrri===
All Serb houses in the Serb-inhabited village of ] in ], near ], were burnt down.<ref name=Zaremba/> In the village of ], a group of Albanians threw stones at Serb houses; several elderly Serbs were severely beaten and wounded.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}} In Vushtrri, rioters targeted the ] community after burning the Serbian Orthodox ]. 69 homes were burned. Some Kosovo Police Service officers participated in the violence, arresting and abusing Ashkalis who were defending their homes.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}}

===Kosovo Polje===
Every Serb home and institution in ] was burned, including the main post office, school, hospital and church. Several Serbs were severely beaten, one to death.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}}

===Gjakova===
Serb homes and the Serbian Orthodox church in Gjakova were destroyed by Albanian rioters after the residents were evacuated and Italian KFOR withdrew.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}}


===Prizren=== ===Prizren===
On 17 March, ethnic Albanians started attacking the Serb settlement in Prizren, including the Seminary, and reportedly there was no UNMIK, ] and KFOR present there at the time.{{sfn|Bouckaert|2004|p=54}} The mob set the Seminary on fire, with people inside,{{sfn|Bouckaert|2004|p=54}} and beat several elder people, with one man dying in the burning.{{sfn|Bouckaert|2004|p=55}} The German KFOR's refusal to mobilize in order to protect the Serbs are one of the main security failures of the 2004 unrest.{{sfn|Bouckaert|2004|p=55}} UNMIK in Prizren said that the terror, 56 Serb houses and 5 historical churches that were burnt down, could have been prevented by the KFOR.{{sfn|Bouckaert|2004|p=55}} On 17 March, ethnic Albanians started attacking the Serb settlement in ], including the Seminary, and reportedly there was no UNMIK, Kosovo Police and KFOR present there at the time.{{sfn|Bouckaert|2004|p=54}} The mob set the Seminary on fire, with people inside, and beat several elder people, with one man dying in the burning.{{sfn|Bouckaert|2004|pp=54-55}}
The German KFOR's refusal to mobilize to protect the local Serbs are one of the main security failures of the 2004 unrest.{{sfn|Bouckaert|2004|p=55}} UNMIK in Prizren said that the terror, 56 Serb houses and 5 historical churches that were burnt down, could have been prevented by KFOR.{{sfn|Bouckaert|2004|p=55}}


==Destroyed churches== ==Destroyed churches==
Line 67: Line 97:
{{see also|Destroyed Serbian heritage in Kosovo}} {{see also|Destroyed Serbian heritage in Kosovo}}


In an urgent appeal,<ref></ref> issued on 18 March by the extraordinary session of the Expanded Convocation of the Holy Synod of ] ({{abbr|SPC|Serbian Orthodox Church}}), it was reported that a number of Serbian churches and shrines in Kosovo had been damaged or destroyed by rioters. At least 30 sites were completely destroyed, more or less destroyed, or further destroyed (sites that had been previously destroyed).{{sfn|ERP KiM Info|2004}} Apart from the churches and monasteries, tens of support buildings (such as parish buildings, economical buildings and residences), bringing the number close to 100 buildings of the SPC destroyed.{{sfn|ERP KiM Info|2004}} All churches and objects of the SPC in Prizren were destroyed.{{sfn|ERP KiM Info|2004}} The list includes several ]. Among those destroyed and damaged were:<ref>]: '''' (26 April 2004) {{sr icon}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=dD4ujefQ4tM|title=„Porušeni manastiri na Kosovu i Metohiji“}}, {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203233339/http://www.kim.gov.rs/en |date=December 3, 2013 }} {{en icon}}{{sr icon}}</ref> In an urgent appeal,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://spc.rs/eng/appeal_extraordinary_session_expanded_convocation_holy_synod_bishops |title=Appeal from the extraordinary session of the Expanded Convocation of the Holy Synod of Serbian Orthodox Church |access-date=2017-04-13 |archive-date=2022-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219163501/http://spc.rs/eng/appeal_extraordinary_session_expanded_convocation_holy_synod_bishops |url-status=dead }}</ref> issued on 18 March by the extraordinary session of the Expanded Convocation of the Holy Synod of ] ({{abbr|SPC|Serbian Orthodox Church}}), it was reported that a number of Serbian churches and shrines in Kosovo had been damaged or destroyed by rioters. At least 30 sites were completely destroyed, more or less destroyed, or further destroyed (sites that had been previously damaged).{{sfn|ERP KiM Info|2004}} Apart from the churches and monasteries, tens of support buildings (such as parish buildings, economical buildings and residences) were destroyed, bringing the number close to 35 buildings of the SPC destroyed.{{sfn|ERP KiM Info|2004}}
All churches and objects of the SPC in Prizren were destroyed.{{sfn|ERP KiM Info|2004}} The list includes several ]. Among those destroyed and damaged were:<ref>]: '' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110022548/http://www.b92.net/specijal/kosovo2004/unistenecrkve.php |date=2010-01-10 }}'' (26 April 2004) {{in lang|sr}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=dD4ujefQ4tM|title=„Porušeni manastiri na Kosovu i Metohiji“}}, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203233339/http://www.kim.gov.rs/en|date=3 December 2013}} {{in lang|en|sr}}</ref>


*] in Podujevo destroyed and desecrated, coffins from the nearby ]n cemetery were dug up, and bones of the dead were scattered away.<ref name="Prague Post">{{cite news|last=Munk |first=Eva |title=Czechs hold line in Kosovo |url=http://www.praguepost.com/archivescontent/38889-czechs-hold-line-in-kosovo.html |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130201060633/http://www.praguepost.com/archivescontent/38889-czechs-hold-line-in-kosovo.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=1 February 2013 |newspaper=The Prague Post |date=25 March 2004 }}</ref> *] in Podujevo destroyed and desecrated, coffins from the nearby ]n cemetery were dug up, and bones of the dead were scattered away.<ref name="Prague Post">{{cite news|last=Munk|first=Eva|title=Czechs hold line in Kosovo |url=http://www.praguepost.com/archivescontent/38889-czechs-hold-line-in-kosovo.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201060633/http://www.praguepost.com/archivescontent/38889-czechs-hold-line-in-kosovo.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2013|newspaper=The Prague Post|date=25 March 2004}}</ref>
*]: ] Monastery in ], nuns evacuated by ] soldiers, monastery pillaged and torched, the tomb of St. Joannicius of Devič was desecrated.<ref name="cnn">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9906/17/kosovo.04/|title=CNN – KLA rebels accused of vandalizing Serb monastery – June 17, 1999|publisher=edition.cnn.com|accessdate=2014-03-03}}</ref><ref>http://www.sv-luka.org/Kosovo2000Part1.pdf</ref><ref name=Zaremba/> *]: ] Monastery in ], nuns evacuated by ] soldiers, monastery pillaged and torched, the tomb of St Joannicius of Devič was desecrated.<ref name="cnn">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9906/17/kosovo.04/|title=CNN – KLA rebels accused of vandalizing Serb monastery – June 17, 1999|publisher=CNN|access-date=2014-03-03|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095609/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9906/17/kosovo.04/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Destruction of Christian Churches and Monasteries in Kosovo and Metohija Since Arrival of NATO |url=http://www.sv-luka.org/Kosovo2000Part1.pdf |website=sv-luka.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828014859/http://www.sv-luka.org/Kosovo2000Part1.pdf |archive-date=28 August 2014}}</ref><ref name=Zaremba/>
* ] in Prizren from 1307 (])<ref name="RIC">{{Cite web|title=Reconstruction Implementation Commission|url=http://www.coe.int/t/DG4/CULTUREHERITAGE/COOPERATION/RIC/inc/eng/home.html|work=Site on protection list|accessdate=9 December 2010}}</ref> * ] in Prizren from 1307 (])<ref name="RIC">{{Cite web|title=Reconstruction Implementation Commission|url=http://www.coe.int/t/DG4/CULTUREHERITAGE/COOPERATION/RIC/inc/eng/home.html|work=Site on protection list|access-date=9 December 2010|archive-date=18 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718235452/http://www.coe.int/t/DG4/CULTUREHERITAGE/COOPERATION/RIC/inc/eng/home.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* the ] in Prizren,<ref name="RIC"/> destroyed by vandals after German KFOR troops had left the site.<ref name=Zaremba/> * the ] in Prizren,<ref name="RIC"/> destroyed by vandals after German KFOR troops had left the site.<ref name=Zaremba/>
* ] in Prizren<ref name="RIC"/> (the city's largest church) * ] in Prizren<ref name="RIC"/> (the city's largest church)
* ] in Prizren<ref name="RIC"/> (Runjevac) * ] in Prizren<ref name="RIC"/> (Runjevac)
* ], ] (Tutić Church) in Prizren<ref name="RIC"/> * ], ] (Tutić Church) in Prizren<ref name="RIC"/>
* the ] in Prizren<ref name="RIC"/> as well as * ] in Prizren<ref name="RIC"/>
* Prizren's ] in Prizren<ref name="RIC"/> * Prizren's ] in Prizren<ref name="RIC"/>


HRW lists 27 Orthodox churches and monasteries burned and looted.{{sfn|May 2006}} HRW lists 27 Orthodox churches and monasteries burned and looted.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}


==Reactions in Kosovo== ==Reactions in Kosovo==
Kosovo Albanian politicians such as President ] and Prime Minister ] joined UN governor Harri Holkeri, NATO southern commander Gregory Johnson, and other KFOR officials in condemning the violence and appealing for peace in Kosovo.{{sfn|Bouckaert|2004|p=59}} Kosovo Albanian politicians such as President ] and Prime Minister ] joined UN governor Harri Holkeri, NATO southern commander Gregory Johnson, and other KFOR officials in condemning the violence and appealing for peace in Kosovo.{{sfn|Bouckaert|2004|p=59}}


], the former ] (KLA) leader, "rejected ethnic division of Kosovo and said independence is a pre-condition for stability in the region."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.voanews.com/content/a-13-a-2004-03-18-27-independence-67342432/382370.html |title=Independence Key to Stability in Kosovo, says Leading Politician |publisher=] |date=October 29, 2009 |publication-date=March 18, 2004 |accessdate=September 28, 2015}}</ref> He has also said, "Kosovo, NATO and the West have not fought for Kosovo only for Albanians, nor for a Kosovo ruled by violence. Violence is not the way to solve problems, violence only creates problems."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unmikonline.org/press/2004/mon/mar/lmm190304.pdf |title=Thaçi calls upon citizens to stop protests and not forget the help of NATO (Zëri) |date=March 19, 2004 |accessdate=September 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050505095455/http://www.unmikonline.org/press/2004/mon/mar/lmm190304.pdf |archive-date=May 5, 2005}}</ref> ], the former ] (KLA) leader, "rejected ethnic division of Kosovo and said independence is a pre-condition for stability in the region."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.voanews.com/content/a-13-a-2004-03-18-27-independence-67342432/382370.html |title=Independence Key to Stability in Kosovo, says Leading Politician |publisher=] |date=October 29, 2009 |publication-date=March 18, 2004 |access-date=September 28, 2015 |archive-date=September 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929013008/http://www.voanews.com/content/a-13-a-2004-03-18-27-independence-67342432/382370.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He has also said, "Kosovo, NATO and the West have not fought for Kosovo only for Albanians, nor for a Kosovo ruled by violence. Violence is not the way to solve problems, violence only creates problems."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unmikonline.org/press/2004/mon/mar/lmm190304.pdf |title=Thaçi calls upon citizens to stop protests and not forget the help of NATO (Zëri) |date=March 19, 2004 |access-date=September 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050505095455/http://www.unmikonline.org/press/2004/mon/mar/lmm190304.pdf |archive-date=May 5, 2005}}</ref>


Kosovo Police established a special investigation team to handle cases related to the 2004 unrest and according to Kosovo Judicial Council by the end of 2006 the 326 charges filed by municipal and district prosecutors for criminal offenses in connection with the unrest had resulted in 200 indictments: convictions in 134 cases, and courts acquitted eight and dismissed 28; 30 cases were pending. International prosecutors and judges handled the most sensitive cases.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78837.htm#kosovo |title=Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Serbia (includes Kosovo) |publisher=US Department of State |date=March 6, 2007 |accessdate=September 28, 2015}}</ref> By March 2010, 143 Kosovars of Albanian ethnicity were convicted, of which 67 received prison terms of over a year.<ref name="b92">{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2010&mm=03&dd=17&nav_id=65852|title=Six years since March violence in Kosovo |publisher=] |date=17 March 2010 |accessdate=7 September 2015}}</ref> Kosovo Police established a special investigation team to handle cases related to the 2004 unrest.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78837.htm#kosovo |title=Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Serbia (includes Kosovo) |publisher=US Department of State |date=March 6, 2007 |access-date=September 28, 2015 |archive-date=September 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902233143/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78837.htm#kosovo |url-status=live }}</ref> According to statistics released by the UNMIK in 2008, 242 people have been charged for the March violence and a further 157 for ]. International prosecutors and judges have dealt with cases involving serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, incitement to national hatred and causing general danger with the rest being dealt by domestic courts. By April 2008, 301 had been convicted and 86 were handed prison sentences, the maximum of which was 16 years.<ref name="osce2008" /> By March 2010, 143 Kosovo Albanians were convicted, of which 67 received prison terms of over a year.<ref name="b92"/>


==Reactions in Serbia== ==Reactions in Serbia==
The events in Kosovo brought an immediate angry reaction on the streets of Serbia. On the evening of 17 March, crowds gathered in ], ] and ] to demonstrate against the treatment of the Kosovo Serbs. Despite appeals for calm by ], the 17th-century ] was set on fire. Islam-aga's Mosque in the southern city of Niš was also set on fire, while demonstrators chanted "Kill, kill Albanians!" When police arrived the mosque was already burning and some media reported that the police didn't move the crowd, so they blocked the fire fighters access to the mosque, leaving them unable to extinguish the fire.<ref name="hrw.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/serbia1005/4.htm|title=Dangerous Indifference: Violence against Minorities in Serbia: March 2004 Violence Against Albanians and Muslims|website=www.hrw.org|access-date=2023-05-27|archive-date=2018-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219121331/https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/serbia1005/4.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Both buildings were extensively damaged but were saved from complete destruction by the intervention of police and firefighters.<ref name="f18">{{cite web | url = http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=280 | publisher = ] | work = KOSOVO & SERBIA | title = Churches & mosques destroyed amid inter-ethnic violence | access-date = 23 May 2006 <!--DASHBot--> | archive-date = 30 January 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110130191332/http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=280 | url-status = live }}</ref> Also properties of Muslim minorities, such as Goranis, Turks or Albanians were vandalized in Novi Sad and other cities throughout Serbia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hrw.org/reports/2005/serbia1005/4.htm|title=Dangerous Indifference: Violence against Minorities in Serbia: March 2004 Violence Against Albanians and Muslims|access-date=15 February 2015|archive-date=4 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604123113/http://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/serbia1005/4.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Human Rights Watch has concluded that the Serbian state failed to prosecute violence in Novi Sad.<ref name="hrw.org"/>
{{refimprove section|date=February 2018}}
The events in Kosovo brought an immediate angry reaction on the streets of Serbia. On the evening of 17 March, crowds gathered in ], ] and ] to demonstrate against the treatment of the Kosovo Serbs. Despite appeals for calm by ], the 17th-century ] was set on fire. Islam Aga mosque in the southern city of Niš was also set on fire, while demonstrators chanted "Kill, kill Albanians!" When police arrived the mosque was already burning and some media reported that the police didn't move the crowd, so they blocked the fire fighters access to the mosque, leaving them unable to extinguish the fire.<ref name="hrw.org"></ref> Both buildings were extensively damaged but were saved from complete destruction by the intervention of police and firefighters.<ref name="f18">{{cite web | url = http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=280 | publisher = ] | work = KOSOVO & SERBIA | title = Churches & mosques destroyed amid inter-ethnic violence | accessdate= 23 May 2006 <!--DASHBot-->}}</ref> Also properties of Muslim minorities, such as Goranis, Turks or Albanians were vandalized in Novi Sad and other cities throughout Serbia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hrw.org/reports/2005/serbia1005/4.htm|title=Dangerous Indifference: Violence against Minorities in Serbia: March 2004 Violence Against Albanians and Muslims|publisher=|accessdate=15 February 2015}}</ref> Human Rights Watch has concluded that the Serbian state failed to prosecute violence in Novi Sad.<ref name="hrw.org"/>


The Serbian government publicly denounced the violence in Kosovo. Prime Minister ] strongly criticized the failure of NATO and the UN to prevent the violence, and called for a state of emergency to be imposed on Kosovo. He gave a speech blaming organized Albanian separatists: "The events in northern Kosovo-Metohija reveal the true nature of Albanian separatism, its violent and terrorist nature ... do all it can to stop the terror in Kosovo".<ref name="bbc-media">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3523916.stm | publisher = BBC | title = Media fan Kosovo flames | date=2004-03-18 | accessdate=2009-12-31}}</ref> The Minister of Minority Rights of ], Rasim Ljajić, himself a Muslim, said "What is now happening in Kosovo confirms two things: that this is a collapse of the international mission, and a total defeat of the international community." Nebojsa Čović, the Serbian government's chief negotiator on matters relating to Kosovo, was sent to Kosovska Mitrovica on March 18 in a bid to calm the situation there. Serbian security forces also guarded the border between Serbia and Kosovo in a bid to prevent demonstrators and paramilitaries from entering the province to foment further unrest. The events were compared by Prime Minister Koštunica to ].<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3551571.stm | work=BBC News | title=Kosovo clashes 'ethnic cleansing' | date=20 March 2004 | accessdate=22 April 2010}}</ref> The Serbian government publicly denounced the violence in Kosovo. Prime Minister ] strongly criticized the failure of NATO and the UN to prevent the violence, and called for a state of emergency to be imposed on Kosovo. He gave a speech blaming organized Albanian separatists: "The events in northern Kosovo-Metohija reveal the true nature of Albanian separatism, its violent and terrorist nature ... do all it can to stop the terror in Kosovo".<ref name="bbc-media">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3523916.stm | publisher = BBC | title = Media fan Kosovo flames | date = 2004-03-18 | access-date = 2009-12-31 | archive-date = 2005-11-26 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051126110802/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3523916.stm | url-status = live }}</ref> The Minister of Minority Rights of ], ], himself a Muslim, said "What is now happening in Kosovo confirms two things: that this is a collapse of the international mission, and a total defeat of the international community." Nebojsa Čović, the Serbian government's chief negotiator on matters relating to Kosovo, was sent to Kosovska Mitrovica on 18 March in a bid to calm the situation there. Serbian security forces also guarded the border between Serbia and Kosovo in a bid to prevent demonstrators and paramilitaries from entering the province to foment further unrest. The events were compared by Prime Minister Koštunica to ].<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/>


The Serbs, represented by the "Union of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija", described the ordeal as "genocide" in a letter sent to the Serbian and Russian patriarchs, to Russian President ] and the Serbian government, where, besides that, they quote the burning of seven villages during the World War II-German occupation to the "several hundreds" burnt "under the rule of the troops of Christian Europe and America" and according to which the "occupation of Kosovo surpasses all we had to sustain under fascism." The spared Serb villages are compared to "concentration camps" because of the missing ], electricity and heating. According to the letter, after 1999 there were 8,500 homicides or disappearances of non-Albanian people with no single accomplice tried.<ref> in Russian, in the name of 120 000 Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija</ref> The Serbs, represented by the "Union of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija", described the ordeal as "genocide" in a letter sent to the Serbian and Russian patriarchs, to Russian President ] and the Serbian government, where, besides that, they quote the burning of seven villages during the World War II-German occupation to the "several hundreds" burnt "under the rule of the troops of Christian Europe and America" and according to which the "occupation of Kosovo surpasses all we had to sustain under fascism." The spared Serb villages are compared to "concentration camps" because of the missing ], electricity and heating. According to the letter, after 1999 there were 8,500 homicides or disappearances of non-Albanian people with no single accomplice tried.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120910124959/http://www.pravoslavie.ru/news/060415154741 |date=2012-09-10 }} in Russian, in the name of 120 000 Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija</ref>


In 2011, seven years after the incident, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić spoke at the Wheaton College in Chicago: In 2011, seven years after the incident, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić spoke at the ] in ], US:<ref name="B92-1" />


<blockquote>In less than 72 hours, 35 churches and monasteries were set on fire, many of which date back to the 14th century or even further away in history, which represents an irretrievable loss for the mankind. Dozens of people were killed. Several thousand were wounded. Thousands of houses and shops were leveled to the ground. More than 4,000 Kosovo Serbs were expelled from their homes.<ref name="B92-1"/></blockquote> {{Blockquote|text="In less than 72 hours, 35 churches and monasteries were set on fire, many of which date back to the 14th century or even further away in history, which represents an irretrievable loss for the mankind. Dozens of people were killed. Several thousand were wounded. Thousands of houses and shops were leveled to the ground. More than 4,000 Kosovo Serbs were expelled from their homes."|author=Vuk Jeremić}}


In Serbia the events were also called the March Pogrom.<ref name="WashingtonTimes">, By The Washington Times</ref><ref name="B92-1">B92.net, '''', 18 March 2011</ref><ref> RTS.rs</ref><ref> Večernje novosti</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pravoslavie.ru/news/51111.htm|title=ЕПИСКОП ФЕОДОСИЙ ПРОТИВ ПЕРЕДАЧИ МОНАСТЫРЯ ПОД ОХРАНУ КОСОВСКОЙ ПОЛИЦЕЙСКОЙ СЛУЖБЫ|publisher=|accessdate=15 February 2015}}</ref> In Serbia the events were also called the March Pogrom.<ref name="WashingtonTimes"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131223195227/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/apr/9/20050409-102733-9741r/ |date=2013-12-23 }}, By The Washington Times</ref><ref name="B92-1"/><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528031209/http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/ci/story/1/%D0%A1%D1%80%D0%B1%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0/570011/%D0%A8%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82+%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0+%D0%BE%D0%B4+%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B3+%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B0+.html |date=2010-05-28 }} RTS.rs</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117034749/http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/naslovna/teme/teme.97.html:tema-167-Martovski-pogrom |date=2012-01-17 }} Večernje novosti</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pravoslavie.ru/news/51111.htm|title=ЕПИСКОП ФЕОДОСИЙ ПРОТИВ ПЕРЕДАЧИ МОНАСТЫРЯ ПОД ОХРАНУ КОСОВСКОЙ ПОЛИЦЕЙСКОЙ СЛУЖБЫ|access-date=15 February 2015|archive-date=19 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319123724/http://pravoslavie.ru/news/51111.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>


==International reaction== ==International reaction==
] troops closed Kosovo's borders with the remainder of Serbia and Montenegro and the UN suspended flights in and out of the province. NATO announced on 18 March that it would send another 1,000 troops, 750 of them from the ], to reinforce the 18,500 troops already there.<ref name="nato">{{cite news|url=http://www.nato.int/shape/news/2004/03/i040318a.htm |title=NATO deploys "prudent reinforcements" to Kosovo in response to violence |publisher=] |access-date=23 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060529195314/http://www.nato.int/shape/news/2004/03/i040318a.htm |archive-date=29 May 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{refimprove section|date=February 2018}}


The UN and ] both appealed for calm, calling on local leaders to restrain their supporters. ] ] urged both sides to cooperate with the peacekeeping forces but pointedly reminded the Kosovo Albanians that they had a responsibility "to protect and promote the rights of all people within Kosovo, particularly its minorities".{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
The international community was taken by surprise by the sudden upsurge in violence. Kosovo had been fairly quiet since the end of 1999, although there had been occasional small-scale ethnic clashes throughout the past five years and an ongoing tension between Serbs and Albanians. This had, however, largely gone unnoticed by the Western media since 1999.


An Austrian ] official called the events an orchestrated plan to drive out the remaining Serbs, while one anonymous UNMIK official reportedly referred to the event as ''Kosovo's ]''. The commander of NATO's South Flank, Admiral ], said on 19 March that the violence verged on ethnic cleansing of Serbs by Albanians. On 20 March, Kosovo's UN administrator, ], told journalists that "Maybe the very beginning was spontaneous but after the beginning certain extremist groups had an opportunity to orchestrate the situation and that is why we urgently are working to get those perpetrators into justice."<ref name="bbc-blame">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3553837.stm | publisher = BBC | title = Kosovo clashes 'orchestrated' | date = 2004-03-20 | access-date = 2009-12-31 | archive-date = 2004-07-22 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040722233620/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3553837.stm | url-status = live }}</ref>
KFOR troops closed Kosovo's borders with the remainder of Serbia and Montenegro and the UN suspended flights in and out of the province. NATO announced on 18 March that it would send another 1,000 troops – 750 of them from the ] – to reinforce the 18,500 troops already there.<ref name="nato">{{cite news|url=http://www.nato.int/shape/news/2004/03/i040318a.htm |title=NATO deploys "prudent reinforcements" to Kosovo in response to violence |publisher=] |accessdate=23 May 2006 <!--DASHBot--> |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060529195314/http://www.nato.int/shape/news/2004/03/i040318a.htm |archivedate=29 May 2006 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref>


KFOR and UNIMK were criticized for their inadequate response in protecting Serbs and other minorities from Albanian rioters.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Ramet |editor1-first=Sabrina P. |editor2-last=Simkus |editor2-first=Albert |editor3-last=Listhaug |editor3-first=Ola |title=ivic and Uncivic Values in Kosovo: History, Politics, and Value Transformation |date=2015 |publisher=Central European University Press |isbn=9789633860748 |page=136 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8f0OEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA136}}</ref><ref name="afp">{{cite news |title=NATO, UN Accused of Failing in Kosovo |url=https://www.dw.com/en/nato-un-accused-of-failing-in-kosovo/a-1277475 |work=Agence France-Presse |date=27 July 2024}}</ref> Human Rights Watch pointed specifically to the example of French peacekeepers in the village of ], accusing them of not helping besieged Serbs even though their main base was a few hundred metres away.<ref name="afp" />
The UN and ] both appealed for calm, calling on local leaders to restrain their supporters. ] ] urged both sides to cooperate with the peacekeeping forces but pointedly reminded the Kosovo Albanians that they had a responsibility "to protect and promote the rights of all people within Kosovo, particularly its minorities".


According to ], at least 27 people died—11 Albanians and 16 Serbs—and over 1,000 were injured while some 730 houses belonging to minorities, mostly Kosovo Serbs, as well as 36 Orthodox churches, monasteries and other religious and cultural sites were damaged or destroyed. In less than 48 hours, 4,100 minority community members were newly displaced (more than the total of 3,664 that had returned throughout 2003), of whom 82% were Serbs and the remaining 18% included Romani (and Ashkali) as well as an estimated 350 Albanians from the Serb-majority areas of ] and ].<ref name="unmik report">{{cite web |title=Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo |url=https://unmik.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/s-2004-348.pdf |website=unmik.unmissions.org |publisher=United Nations |pages=1-6 |date=30 April 2004}}</ref>
An Austrian ] official called the events an orchestrated plan to drive out the remaining Serbs, while one anonymous UNMIK official reportedly referred to the event as ''Kosovo's ]''. The commander of NATO's South Flank, Admiral ], said on 19 March that the violence verged on ethnic cleansing of Serbs by Albanians. On 20 March, Kosovo's UN administrator, ], told journalists that "Maybe the very beginning was spontaneous but after the beginning certain extremist groups had an opportunity to orchestrate the situation and that is why we urgently are working to get those perpetrators into justice."<ref name="bbc-blame">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3553837.stm | publisher = BBC | title = Kosovo clashes 'orchestrated' | date=2004-03-20 | accessdate=2009-12-31}}</ref>


*{{flagicon|Denmark}} ] pledged to send an additional 100 peacekeepers to the region after the violence began.<ref name="kosovo clashes"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518134221/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3551571.stm |date=2020-05-18 }} BBC, March 20, 2004. Retrieved 2011-01-28.</ref>
According to ], at least 19 people died—11 Albanians and eight Serbs—and over 1,000 were injured while some 730 houses belonging to minorities, mostly Kosovo Serbs, as well as 36 Orthodox churches, monasteries and other religious and cultural sites were damaged or destroyed. In less than 48 hours, 4,100 minority community members were newly displaced (more than the total of 3,664 that had returned throughout 2003), of whom 82% were Serbs and the remaining 18% included Romani (and Ashkali) as well as an estimated 350 Albanians from the Serb-majority areas of ] and ].
*{{flagicon|Germany}} ] Defence Minister ] said on 19 March that a further 600 peacekeepers were being sent to join German forces in Kosovo, with deployment to the region beginning on 20 March.<ref name="kosovo clashes" />

*{{flagicon|Denmark}} ] pledged to send an additional 100 peacekeepers to the region after the violence began.<ref name="kosovo clashes"> BBC, March 20, 2004. Retrieved 2011-01-28.</ref> *{{flagicon|France|1974}} ] pledged to send about 400 more troops immediately to the region after the violence began.<ref name="kosovo clashes" />
*{{flagicon|Germany}} ] Defence Minister ] said on March 19 that a further 600 peacekeepers were being sent to join German forces in Kosovo, with deployment to the region beginning on March 20.<ref name="kosovo clashes" />
*{{flagicon|France}} ] pledged to send about 400 more troops immediately to the region after the violence began.<ref name="kosovo clashes" />
*{{flagicon|Russia}} ] and ] called for an emergency meeting of the ], which condemned the violence. On 19 March, the Russian ] passed a resolution (397 to 0) calling for the return of Serbia-Montenegro's troops. *{{flagicon|Russia}} ] and ] called for an emergency meeting of the ], which condemned the violence. On 19 March, the Russian ] passed a resolution (397 to 0) calling for the return of Serbia-Montenegro's troops.
*{{flagicon|Serbia}} Serbian Prime Minister ] described the attacks as "planned in advance and co-ordinated... this was an attempted pogrom and ethnic cleansing" against Kosovo's Serbs.<ref name="kosovo clashes" /> *{{flagicon|FR Yugoslavia}} {{flagicon image|Flag of Serbia (2004–2010).svg}} Serbian Prime Minister ] described the attacks as "planned in advance and co-ordinated... this was an attempted pogrom and ethnic cleansing" against Kosovo's Serbs.<ref name="kosovo clashes" />
*{{flagicon|UK}} The ] sent an additional 750 peacekeeping soldiers, which arrived in the region's capital ] within 24 hours of the first attacks, to reinforce ] troops already on the ground.<ref name="kosovo clashes" /> *{{flagicon|UK}} The ] sent an additional 750 peacekeeping soldiers, which arrived in the region's capital ] within 24 hours of the first attacks, to reinforce ] troops already on the ground.<ref name="kosovo clashes" />
*{{flagicon|United States}} ] spokesman ] told reporters the ] administration called "on all groups to end the violence and refrain from violence."<ref name="cnnreport"> CNN, March 18, 2004. Retrieved 2011-01-28.</ref> The ] also repeated its call to stop the violence, stating: "The escalating violence threatens the process of democratization and reconciliation in Kosovo and must end."<ref name="cnnreport" /> *{{flagicon|United States}} ] spokesman ] told reporters the ] administration called "on all groups to end the violence and refrain from violence."<ref name="cnnreport"> CNN, March 18, 2004. Retrieved 2011-01-28.</ref> The ] also repeated its call to stop the violence, stating: "The escalating violence threatens the process of democratization and reconciliation in Kosovo and must end."<ref name="cnnreport" />


==See also== ==See also==
*] *]
*] *]
*]
*] *]
*'']'', documentary *'']'', documentary
*] *]
*]
*] *]
*] *]


==References== == References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==Sources== === Sources ===
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* {{cite book |last1=Allan |first1=Stuart |last2=Zelizer |first2=Barbie |title=Reporting war: Journalism in wartime |year=2004 |location=New York, NY |publisher=Routledge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=strajWS98sMC&pg=PR3 |isbn=9780415339971 }}
*{{cite document|author=HLC|title=Ethnic Violence in Kosovo, March 2004|publisher=Humanitarian Law Center|url=http://www.hlc-rdc.org/uploads/editor/HLC%20Report%20-%20Ethnic%20Violence%20in%20Kosovo%20-%20March%202004.pdf}}
* {{cite journal |last = Herring |first = Eric |year = 2000 |title = From Rambouillet to the Kosovo accords: NATO'S war against Serbia and its aftermath |journal = The International Journal of Human Rights |volume=4 |issue=3–4 |doi=10.1080/13642980008406901 |s2cid=144283529 |pages=232–234 }}
*{{cite document|author=HRW|title=Failure to Protect: Anti-Minority Violence in Kosovo, March 2004|date=July 25, 2004|publisher=Human Rights Watch|url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2004/07/25/failure-protect/anti-minority-violence-kosovo-march-2004}}
* {{cite web |author=HLC |title=Ethnic Violence in Kosovo, March 2004 |publisher=Humanitarian Law Center |url=http://www.hlc-rdc.org/uploads/editor/HLC%20Report%20-%20Ethnic%20Violence%20in%20Kosovo%20-%20March%202004.pdf |access-date=2011-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120020347/http://hlc-rdc.org/uploads/editor/HLC%20Report%20-%20Ethnic%20Violence%20in%20Kosovo%20-%20March%202004.pdf |archive-date=2012-01-20 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite book|author=HRW|title=Not on the Agenda: The Continuing Failure to Address Accountability in Kosovo Post-March 2004|date=May 2006|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SNuO6AqPE8AC&pg=PA1|publisher=Human Rights Watch|id=GGKEY:35DENT61C5T|ref=harv}}
* {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Human Rights Watch 25 July 2004}} |author=HRW |title=Failure to Protect: Anti-Minority Violence in Kosovo, March 2004 |date=July 25, 2004 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2004/07/25/failure-protect/anti-minority-violence-kosovo-march-2004 |access-date=7 March 2018 |archive-date=25 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225203923/https://www.hrw.org/report/2004/07/25/failure-protect/anti-minority-violence-kosovo-march-2004 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite book|last=Bouckaert|first=Peter|title=Failure to Protect: Anti-minority Violence in Kosovo, March 2004|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zdeulbfSK-YC|year=2004|publisher=Human Rights Watch|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|author=Siobhán Wills|title=Protecting Civilians: The Obligations of Peacekeepers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QoqQ7kBrlSAC&pg=PA220|date=26 February 2009|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-953387-9|pages=220–}} * {{cite book |author=HRW |title=Not on the Agenda: The Continuing Failure to Address Accountability in Kosovo Post-March 2004 |date=May 2006 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SNuO6AqPE8AC&pg=PA1 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |id=GGKEY:35DENT61C5T }}
*{{cite book|last=Jokić|first=Branko|title=The March Pogrom|publisher=Kancelarija za Kosovo i Metohiju|year=2014|isbn=978-86-84431-13-6|ref=harv}} * {{cite book |last=Bouckaert |first=Peter |title=Failure to Protect: Anti-minority Violence in Kosovo, March 2004 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zdeulbfSK-YC |year=2004 |publisher=Human Rights Watch }}
* {{cite book |first=Siobhán |last=Wills |title=Protecting Civilians: The Obligations of Peacekeepers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QoqQ7kBrlSAC&pg=PA220 |date=26 February 2009 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-953387-9 |pages=220– }}
*{{cite news|title=Осам година од погрома на Космету|date=March 17, 2012|publisher=RTS|url=http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/ci/story/1/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0/1064598/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BC+%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0+%D0%BE%D0%B4+%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B0+%D0%BD%D0%B0+%D0%9A%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%83.html}}
* {{cite book |last=Jokić |first=Branko |title = The March Pogrom |publisher=Kancelarija za Kosovo i Metohiju |year=2014 |isbn=978-86-84431-13-6 }}
*{{cite news|title=Деценија од погрома на Космету|publisher=RTV|date=March 17, 2014|url=http://www.rtv.rs/sr_ci/drustvo/decenija-od-pogroma-na-kosmetu_470460.html}}
* {{cite news |title = Осам година од погрома на Космету |date = March 17, 2012 |publisher = RTS |url = http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/ci/story/1/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0/1064598/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BC+%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0+%D0%BE%D0%B4+%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B0+%D0%BD%D0%B0+%D0%9A%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%83.html |access-date = December 14, 2014 |archive-date = December 14, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141214234553/http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/ci/story/1/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0/1064598/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BC+%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0+%D0%BE%D0%B4+%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B0+%D0%BD%D0%B0+%D0%9A%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%83.html |url-status = live }}
*{{cite web|author=Влада Републике Србије за Косово и Метохију|title=Терор на Косову и Метохији|date=March 2004|url=http://www.srbija.gov.rs/vesti/specijal.php?id=558}}
* {{cite news |title = Деценија од погрома на Космету |publisher = RTV |date = March 17, 2014 |url = http://www.rtv.rs/sr_ci/drustvo/decenija-od-pogroma-na-kosmetu_470460.html |access-date = December 14, 2014 |archive-date = December 14, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141214233636/http://www.rtv.rs/sr_ci/drustvo/decenija-od-pogroma-na-kosmetu_470460.html |url-status = live }}
*{{cite web|author=Влада Републике Србије за Косово и Метохију|title=Мартовски погром 2004. године|url=http://www.srbija.gov.rs/kosovo-metohija/?id=19988}}
*{{cite document|author=Влада Републике Србије за Косово и Метохију|title=Светиње и културна добра уништени у мартовском погрому|url=http://www.media.srbija.gov.rs/medsrp/dokumenti/unisteno_mart2004.pdf}} * {{cite web |author = Влада Републике Србије за Косово и Метохију |title = Терор на Косову и Метохији |date = March 2004 |url = http://www.srbija.gov.rs/vesti/specijal.php?id=558 |access-date = 2014-12-14 |archive-date = 2014-12-15 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141215002933/http://www.srbija.gov.rs/vesti/specijal.php?id=558 |url-status = live }}
* {{cite web |author = Влада Републике Србије за Косово и Метохију |title = Мартовски погром 2004. године |url = http://www.srbija.gov.rs/kosovo-metohija/?id=19988 |access-date = 2014-12-14 |archive-date = 2014-12-14 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141214233326/http://www.srbija.gov.rs/kosovo-metohija/?id=19988 |url-status = live }}
*{{cite web|author=B92|title=Hronologija događaja (16 – 22. mart 2004)|work=B92 Specijal: Nasilje na Kosovu|publisher=B92|year=2004|url=http://www.b92.net/specijal/kosovo2004/|ref={{harvid|B92 Specijal|2004}}
* {{cite web|author=Влада Републике Србије за Косово и Метохију|title=Светиње и културна добра уништени у мартовском погрому|url=http://www.media.srbija.gov.rs/medsrp/dokumenti/unisteno_mart2004.pdf|access-date=2014-12-14|archive-date=2016-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222054100/http://www.media.srbija.gov.rs/medsrp/dokumenti/unisteno_mart2004.pdf|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|last=Yoshihara|first=Susan Fink|chapter=Kosovo|pages=65-86|editor1-last=Reveron|editor1-first=Derek S.|editor2-last=Murer|editor2-first=Jeffrey Stevenson|title=Flashpoints in the War on Terrorism|year=2006|location=New York|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781135449315|url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=_q_2Qz92NEgC&pg=PT82&dq=Albanian+nationalism&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Albanian%20nationalism&f=false|ref=harv}}
* {{cite web |title = Hronologija događaja (16 – 22. mart 2004) |work = B92 Specijal: Nasilje na Kosovu |publisher = B92 |year = 2004 |url = http://www.b92.net/specijal/kosovo2004/ |ref = {{harvid|B92 Specijal|2004}} |access-date = 2010-04-24 |archive-date = 2012-11-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103200828/http://www.b92.net/specijal/kosovo2004/ |url-status = live }}
*{{cite book|last=Goldman|first=Minton F.|title=Revolution and change in Central and Eastern Europe: Political, economic, and social challenges|year=1997|location=Armonk|publisher=ME Sharpe|url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=aLZlX13le_wC&pg=PA307&dq=Albanian+nationalists&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Albanian%20nationalists&f=false|isbn=9780765639011|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Yoshihara |first=Susan Fink |chapter=Kosovo |pages=65–86 |editor1-last=Reveron |editor1-first=Derek S. |editor2-last=Murer |editor2-first=Jeffrey Stevenson |title=Flashpoints in the War on Terrorism |year=2006 |location=New York, NY |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781135449315 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_q_2Qz92NEgC&q=Albanian+nationalism&pg=PT82 }}
*https://ericherring.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/eh-nato-war-on-serbia-00.pdf
* {{cite book|last=Goldman|first=Minton F.|title=Revolution and change in Central and Eastern Europe: Political, economic, and social challenges|year=1997|location=Armonk|publisher=ME Sharpe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aLZlX13le_wC&q=Albanian+nationalists&pg=PA307|isbn=9780765639011}}
*:''Triggered by <code>\bfiles\.wordpress\.com\b</code> on the global blacklist''|bot=Cyberbot II|invisible=false}}
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010131716/https://ericherring.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/eh-nato-war-on-serbia-00.pdf |date=2017-10-10 }}
{{History of Kosovo}}
*{{cite book|last=Rausch|first=Colette|last2=Banar|first2=Elaine|title=Combating serious crimes in postconflict societies: A handbook for policymakers and practitioners|year=2006|location=Washington, D.C|publisher=US Institute of Peace Press|url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=_ekkugfne9MC&pg=PA246&dq=2004+riots+Kosovo+nationalism&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=2004%20riots%20Kosovo%20nationalism&f=false|isbn=9781929223954|ref=harv}} * {{cite book|last1=Rausch|first1=Colette|last2=Banar|first2=Elaine|title=Combating serious crimes in postconflict societies: A handbook for policymakers and practitioners|year=2006|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=US Institute of Peace Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ekkugfne9MC&q=2004+riots+Kosovo+nationalism&pg=PA246|isbn=9781929223954}}
*{{cite book|last=Egleder|first=Julia|title=Peace Through Peace Media?: The Media Activities of the International Missions (KFOR and UNMIK) and Their Contribution to Peacebuilding in Kosovo from 1999 till 2008|year=2013|location=Münster|publisher=LIT Verlag|url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=-UELTOTKxy0C&pg=PA79&dq=2004+riots+Kosovo+nationalism&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=2004%20riots%20Kosovo%20nationalism&f=false|isbn=9783643903549|ref=harv}} * {{cite book|last=Egleder|first=Julia|title=Peace Through Peace Media?: The Media Activities of the International Missions (KFOR and UNMIK) and Their Contribution to Peacebuilding in Kosovo from 1999 till 2008|year=2013|location=Münster|publisher=LIT Verlag|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-UELTOTKxy0C&q=2004+riots+Kosovo+nationalism&pg=PA79|isbn=9783643903549}}
* {{cite web|author=ERP KiM Info|title=Dopunjeni i ispravljeni spisak uništenih i oštećenih pravoslavnih crkava i manastira na Kosovu u toku martovskog nasilja|work=B92 Specijal|date=26 April 2004|publisher=B92|url=http://www.b92.net/specijal/kosovo2004/unistenecrkve.php|access-date=24 April 2010|archive-date=10 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110022548/http://www.b92.net/specijal/kosovo2004/unistenecrkve.php|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|last=Herscher|first=Andrew|title=Violence taking place: The architecture of the Kosovo conflict|year=2010|location=Stanford|publisher=Stanford University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pnSvZzDS0RYC|isbn=9780804769358|pages=14-|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last=Perritt|first=Henry H.|title=Kosovo Liberation Army: The Inside Story of an Insurgency|year=2008|location=Urbana|publisher=University of Illinois Press|url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=SlHqkxGk4Q8C&pg=PA20&dq=Albanian+nationalism&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Albanian%20nationalism&f=false|isbn=9780252092138|ref=harv}} *{{cite book|last=Herscher|first=Andrew|title=Violence taking place: The architecture of the Kosovo conflict|year=2010|location=Stanford|publisher=Stanford University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pnSvZzDS0RYC|isbn=9780804769358|pages=14–}}
*{{cite book|last=Perritt|first=Henry H.|title=Kosovo Liberation Army: The Inside Story of an Insurgency|year=2008|location=Urbana|publisher=University of Illinois Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SlHqkxGk4Q8C&q=Albanian+nationalism&pg=PA20|isbn=9780252092138}}
*{{cite journal|last=Koktsidis|first=Pavlos Ioannis|last2=Dam|first2=Caspar Ten|title=A success story? Analysing Albanian ethno-nationalist extremism in the Balkans|url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/20589/EEQPavlosCasparJune2008.pdf?sequence=1|journal=East European Quarterly|volume=42|issue=2|year=2008|pages=161-190|ref=harv}} }}
*{{cite journal|last1=Koktsidis|first1=Pavlos Ioannis|last2=Dam|first2=Caspar Ten|title=A success story? Analysing Albanian ethno-nationalist extremism in the Balkans|url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/20589/EEQPavlosCasparJune2008.pdf?sequence=1|journal=East European Quarterly|volume=42|issue=2|year=2008|pages=161–190|access-date=2018-03-29|archive-date=2019-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026102102/https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/20589/EEQPavlosCasparJune2008.pdf?sequence=1|url-status=live}}
{{Refend}}
{{refend}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons}}
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* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120151926/http://www.spc.rs/old/Vesti-2004/pogrom.html |date=2015-01-20 }}
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*, where non-Serbian property was vandalized by Serbian mobs. *, where non-Serbian property was vandalized by Serbian mobs.
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{{Post-Cold War European conflicts}}
{{commons category|2004 unrest in Kosovo}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Kosovo unrest}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Kosovo unrest, 2004}}
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Latest revision as of 23:40, 13 December 2024

Ethnic violence in Kosovo "Pogrom against the Serbs" and "March Pogrom" redirect here. For other uses, see Anti-Serb riots in Sarajevo.
2004 unrest in Kosovo
March Pogrom
Ruins of Serbian houses and Serbian Orthodox monasteries
Date17–18 March 2004
(1 day)
LocationKosovo under UN administration
Resulted in
Parties
Kosovo Serbs Kosovo Albanians
Number
Unknown Over 50,000
Part of a series on the
History of Kosovo
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Antiquity
Roman Kosovo
Medieval Kosovo
Ottoman Kosovo
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On 17–18 March 2004, violence erupted in Kosovo, leaving hundreds wounded and at least 19 people dead. The unrest was precipitated by unsubstantiated reports in the Kosovo Albanian media which claimed that three Kosovo Albanian boys had drowned after being chased into the Ibar River by a group of Kosovo Serbs. UN peacekeepers and NATO troops scrambled to contain a gun battle between Serbs and Albanians in the partitioned town of Mitrovica, Kosovo before the violence spread to other parts of Kosovo. Serbs call the event the March Pogrom (Serbian: Мартовски погром, romanizedMartovski pogrom), while the Albanians call it the March Unrest (Albanian: Trazirat e marsit).

The violence resulted in the displacement of more than 4,000 Kosovo Serbs and other minorities. More than 935 houses, along with 35 Serbian Orthodox churches, monasteries and other religious buildings were destroyed. International and domestic courts in Pristina have prosecuted people who have taken part in the violence, including those who attacked several Serbian Orthodox churches, handing down prison sentences ranging from 21 months to 16 years. Some of the destroyed churches have since been rebuilt by the Government of Kosovo in cooperation with the Serbian Orthodox Church and the UN mission in Kosovo. The events led to protests in Serbia, and the burning of mosques in Belgrade and other places.

Background

The Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) was an ethnic-Albanian organisation which had as its founding goal unification of Albanian inhabited lands in the Balkans, stressing Albanian culture, ethnicity and nation. Conflict escalated from 1997 onward due to the Yugoslav army retaliating with a crackdown in the region resulting in violence and population displacements. The bloodshed, ethnic cleansing of thousands of Albanians driving them into neighbouring countries and the potential of it to destabilize the region provoked intervention by international organizations and agencies, such as the United Nations, NATO and INGOs. Some people from non-Albanian communities such as the Serbs and Romani fled Kosovo fearing revenge attacks by armed people and returning refugees while others were pressured by the KLA and armed gangs to leave. Post conflict Kosovo was placed under an international United Nations framework with the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) overseeing administrative affairs and the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) dealing with defence. Within post-conflict Kosovo Albanian society, calls for retaliation for previous violence done by Serb forces during the war circulated through public culture. In 2004, prolonged negotiations over Kosovo's future status, sociopolitical problems and nationalist sentiments resulted in the Kosovo unrest.

Prelude

Shooting of Serbian teen

On 15 March 2004 an 18-year-old Serb, Jovica Ivić, was shot and wounded in a drive-by shooting in the village of Čaglavica in the central region of Kosovo.

16 March pro-KLA protests

On 16 March, three KLA war veterans associations organized widespread demonstrations in ethnic Albanian cities and towns, protesting the arrests of former KLA leaders on war crime charges, including the February arrests of four commanders. The pro-KLA, anti-UNMIK protests, with 18,000 protesters, lay the basis for the following demonstrations sparked by the sensational reports of drowning of three Albanian children.

Drowning of Albanian children

On 16 March, three Albanian children drowned in the Ibar River in the village of Çabër, near the Serb community of Zubin Potok. A fourth boy survived. It was speculated that he and his friends had been chased into the river by Serbs in revenge for the shooting of Ivić the previous day, but this claim has not been proven.

UN police spokesman Neeraj Singh said the surviving boy had been under intense pressure from ethnic Albanian journalists who had suggested what he should say. His version of events differed from that of two other children who had also been in the river, Singh told a news conference in Pristina. The spokesperson said there were "very significant" inconsistencies in the accounts given by the child during two separate interviews, and a lack of corroboration of his story. "In fact, it is logically at odds in several respects with other evidence," Mr. Singh said. The UN found no evidence that Serbs were responsible for drowning the three Albanian children.

Violence

Ruins of a Kosovo Serb house in Prizren that was destroyed by rioters.

On 17 and 18 March 2004, a wave of violent riots swept through Kosovo, triggered by two incidents perceived as ethnically motivated acts. Demonstrations, although seemingly spontaneous at the outset, quickly focused on Serbs throughout Kosovo.

Thousands of Albanians gathered at the south end of the bridge across the Ibar at Mitrovica, which divides the Serb and Albanian districts of the town. A large crowd of Serbs gathered at the north end to prevent the Albanians from crossing. Peacekeepers from the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) blockaded the bridge, using tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to keep the crowds apart.

The violence quickly spread to other parts of Kosovo, with Kosovo Serb communities and Serbian cultural heritage (churches and monasteries) attacked by crowds of Albanians. Serb returnees were attacked. Some of the locations were ostensibly under the protection of KFOR at the time. During the riots and violence, at least 35 churches were damaged, including 18 monuments of culture, which were demolished, burnt or severely damaged. According to Human Rights Watch, the violence resulted in the deaths of nineteen people; 8 Kosovo Serbs and 11 Kosovo Albanians. More than a thousand were wounded including more than 120 KFOR personnel. More than 4,000 Serbs were driven out of their homes and more than 900 houses belonging to non-Albanians were burned.

By one estimate, more than 50,000 people participated in the riots.

Čaglavica

In Čaglavica, 12,000 Kosovo Albanian rioters tried to storm the Serb-populated areas. KFOR peacekeepers from Sweden, Norway and Finland led by Swedish Lieutenant Colonel Hans Håkansson created a blockade by using tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades, in order to keep the two groups apart. A truck was driven by a Kosovo Albanian at full speed towards the barricade in an attempt to penetrate the line. After firing warning shots at the truck, the peacekeepers had to use deadly force to avoid friendly casualties, and shot the driver. 16 peacekeepers were injured, and 13 had to be evacuated.

Another KFOR unit consisting of mostly Swedish soldiers also participated in defending Čaglavica that day, supported by people from the barracks who normally worked with non-military tasks. Lieutenant Colonel Hans Håkansson, who commanded 700 people during the unrest, reported that the fighting went on for 11 hours, and that many collapsed due to dehydration and injuries while struggling to fend off waves of rioters. In total, 35 people were injured while defending the town. Hans Håkansson was awarded with a medal for his actions by the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences in 2005.

Pristina

Following the attacks in Čaglavica, the mob of Albanians turned their attention on the few remaining Serbs living in Pristina in the YU Program apartments. The apartments came under attack after the mob of Albanians blocked all of the entrances and set fire to the ground floors. Serbs who tried to flee the apartments were shot at by firearms or stabbed by members of the crowd. The mob began to loot apartments and were chanting pro Kosovo Liberation Army chants and calling for the killing of Serbs. It took KFOR (mainly Irish Soldiers) and UNMIK police over 6 hours to evacuate the Serbs who were under constant fire from armed Albanians. Following the evacuation the crowd began to converge on the Church of the Christ Savour burning and damaging the facade and inside.

Peja

Albanians rioted in the city of Peja, attacking UN offices. One knife-wielding Albanian was shot and killed by UN police in the village of Belo Polje where Serb returnees were attacked. They sheltered at the local church. When they were ordered to evacuate, the Italian KFOR troops did not approach the church, leaving the evacuees vulnerable to attacks; 11 required first aid treatment for their injuries.

Obiliq

In the town of Obiliq, burning of Serb homes took place along with the church. Witnesses state that Kosovo Police officers did not intervene and some participated in the violence.

Lipjan

Albanians and KFOR were engaged in gunfights in the town of Lipjan. Four Serbs were murdered, while Serbs taking refuge in the local Orthodox church were attacked.

Vushtrri

All Serb houses in the Serb-inhabited village of Svinjare in Vushtrri, near Kosovo Mitrovica, were burnt down. In the village of Sllatina, a group of Albanians threw stones at Serb houses; several elderly Serbs were severely beaten and wounded. In Vushtrri, rioters targeted the Ashkali community after burning the Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Elijah. 69 homes were burned. Some Kosovo Police Service officers participated in the violence, arresting and abusing Ashkalis who were defending their homes.

Kosovo Polje

Every Serb home and institution in Kosovo Polje was burned, including the main post office, school, hospital and church. Several Serbs were severely beaten, one to death.

Gjakova

Serb homes and the Serbian Orthodox church in Gjakova were destroyed by Albanian rioters after the residents were evacuated and Italian KFOR withdrew.

Prizren

On 17 March, ethnic Albanians started attacking the Serb settlement in Prizren, including the Seminary, and reportedly there was no UNMIK, Kosovo Police and KFOR present there at the time. The mob set the Seminary on fire, with people inside, and beat several elder people, with one man dying in the burning.

The German KFOR's refusal to mobilize to protect the local Serbs are one of the main security failures of the 2004 unrest. UNMIK in Prizren said that the terror, 56 Serb houses and 5 historical churches that were burnt down, could have been prevented by KFOR.

Destroyed churches

Serbian Orthodox church of St. Elijah in Podujevo destroyed in 2004 unrest by Kosovo Albanians
See also: Destroyed Serbian heritage in Kosovo

In an urgent appeal, issued on 18 March by the extraordinary session of the Expanded Convocation of the Holy Synod of Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), it was reported that a number of Serbian churches and shrines in Kosovo had been damaged or destroyed by rioters. At least 30 sites were completely destroyed, more or less destroyed, or further destroyed (sites that had been previously damaged). Apart from the churches and monasteries, tens of support buildings (such as parish buildings, economical buildings and residences) were destroyed, bringing the number close to 35 buildings of the SPC destroyed.

All churches and objects of the SPC in Prizren were destroyed. The list includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among those destroyed and damaged were:

HRW lists 27 Orthodox churches and monasteries burned and looted.

Reactions in Kosovo

Kosovo Albanian politicians such as President Ibrahim Rugova and Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi joined UN governor Harri Holkeri, NATO southern commander Gregory Johnson, and other KFOR officials in condemning the violence and appealing for peace in Kosovo.

Hashim Thaçi, the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leader, "rejected ethnic division of Kosovo and said independence is a pre-condition for stability in the region." He has also said, "Kosovo, NATO and the West have not fought for Kosovo only for Albanians, nor for a Kosovo ruled by violence. Violence is not the way to solve problems, violence only creates problems."

Kosovo Police established a special investigation team to handle cases related to the 2004 unrest. According to statistics released by the UNMIK in 2008, 242 people have been charged for the March violence and a further 157 for misdemeanors. International prosecutors and judges have dealt with cases involving serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, incitement to national hatred and causing general danger with the rest being dealt by domestic courts. By April 2008, 301 had been convicted and 86 were handed prison sentences, the maximum of which was 16 years. By March 2010, 143 Kosovo Albanians were convicted, of which 67 received prison terms of over a year.

Reactions in Serbia

The events in Kosovo brought an immediate angry reaction on the streets of Serbia. On the evening of 17 March, crowds gathered in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš to demonstrate against the treatment of the Kosovo Serbs. Despite appeals for calm by Metropolitan Amfilohije, the 17th-century Bajrakli Mosque was set on fire. Islam-aga's Mosque in the southern city of Niš was also set on fire, while demonstrators chanted "Kill, kill Albanians!" When police arrived the mosque was already burning and some media reported that the police didn't move the crowd, so they blocked the fire fighters access to the mosque, leaving them unable to extinguish the fire. Both buildings were extensively damaged but were saved from complete destruction by the intervention of police and firefighters. Also properties of Muslim minorities, such as Goranis, Turks or Albanians were vandalized in Novi Sad and other cities throughout Serbia. Human Rights Watch has concluded that the Serbian state failed to prosecute violence in Novi Sad.

The Serbian government publicly denounced the violence in Kosovo. Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica strongly criticized the failure of NATO and the UN to prevent the violence, and called for a state of emergency to be imposed on Kosovo. He gave a speech blaming organized Albanian separatists: "The events in northern Kosovo-Metohija reveal the true nature of Albanian separatism, its violent and terrorist nature ... do all it can to stop the terror in Kosovo". The Minister of Minority Rights of Serbia and Montenegro, Rasim Ljajić, himself a Muslim, said "What is now happening in Kosovo confirms two things: that this is a collapse of the international mission, and a total defeat of the international community." Nebojsa Čović, the Serbian government's chief negotiator on matters relating to Kosovo, was sent to Kosovska Mitrovica on 18 March in a bid to calm the situation there. Serbian security forces also guarded the border between Serbia and Kosovo in a bid to prevent demonstrators and paramilitaries from entering the province to foment further unrest. The events were compared by Prime Minister Koštunica to ethnic cleansing.

The Serbs, represented by the "Union of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija", described the ordeal as "genocide" in a letter sent to the Serbian and Russian patriarchs, to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Serbian government, where, besides that, they quote the burning of seven villages during the World War II-German occupation to the "several hundreds" burnt "under the rule of the troops of Christian Europe and America" and according to which the "occupation of Kosovo surpasses all we had to sustain under fascism." The spared Serb villages are compared to "concentration camps" because of the missing freedom of movement, electricity and heating. According to the letter, after 1999 there were 8,500 homicides or disappearances of non-Albanian people with no single accomplice tried.

In 2011, seven years after the incident, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić spoke at the Wheaton College in Chicago, US:

"In less than 72 hours, 35 churches and monasteries were set on fire, many of which date back to the 14th century or even further away in history, which represents an irretrievable loss for the mankind. Dozens of people were killed. Several thousand were wounded. Thousands of houses and shops were leveled to the ground. More than 4,000 Kosovo Serbs were expelled from their homes."

— Vuk Jeremić

In Serbia the events were also called the March Pogrom.

International reaction

KFOR troops closed Kosovo's borders with the remainder of Serbia and Montenegro and the UN suspended flights in and out of the province. NATO announced on 18 March that it would send another 1,000 troops, 750 of them from the United Kingdom, to reinforce the 18,500 troops already there.

The UN and European Union both appealed for calm, calling on local leaders to restrain their supporters. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urged both sides to cooperate with the peacekeeping forces but pointedly reminded the Kosovo Albanians that they had a responsibility "to protect and promote the rights of all people within Kosovo, particularly its minorities".

An Austrian OSCE official called the events an orchestrated plan to drive out the remaining Serbs, while one anonymous UNMIK official reportedly referred to the event as Kosovo's Kristallnacht. The commander of NATO's South Flank, Admiral Gregory G. Johnson, said on 19 March that the violence verged on ethnic cleansing of Serbs by Albanians. On 20 March, Kosovo's UN administrator, Harri Holkeri, told journalists that "Maybe the very beginning was spontaneous but after the beginning certain extremist groups had an opportunity to orchestrate the situation and that is why we urgently are working to get those perpetrators into justice."

KFOR and UNIMK were criticized for their inadequate response in protecting Serbs and other minorities from Albanian rioters. Human Rights Watch pointed specifically to the example of French peacekeepers in the village of Svinjare, accusing them of not helping besieged Serbs even though their main base was a few hundred metres away.

According to Amnesty International, at least 27 people died—11 Albanians and 16 Serbs—and over 1,000 were injured while some 730 houses belonging to minorities, mostly Kosovo Serbs, as well as 36 Orthodox churches, monasteries and other religious and cultural sites were damaged or destroyed. In less than 48 hours, 4,100 minority community members were newly displaced (more than the total of 3,664 that had returned throughout 2003), of whom 82% were Serbs and the remaining 18% included Romani (and Ashkali) as well as an estimated 350 Albanians from the Serb-majority areas of Kosovska Mitrovica and Leposavić.

  • Denmark Denmark pledged to send an additional 100 peacekeepers to the region after the violence began.
  • Germany Germany's Defence Minister Peter Struck said on 19 March that a further 600 peacekeepers were being sent to join German forces in Kosovo, with deployment to the region beginning on 20 March.
  • France France pledged to send about 400 more troops immediately to the region after the violence began.
  • Russia Russia and Serbia-Montenegro called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, which condemned the violence. On 19 March, the Russian Duma passed a resolution (397 to 0) calling for the return of Serbia-Montenegro's troops.
  • Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica described the attacks as "planned in advance and co-ordinated... this was an attempted pogrom and ethnic cleansing" against Kosovo's Serbs.
  • United Kingdom The United Kingdom sent an additional 750 peacekeeping soldiers, which arrived in the region's capital Pristina within 24 hours of the first attacks, to reinforce British troops already on the ground.
  • United States White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters the Bush administration called "on all groups to end the violence and refrain from violence." The U.S. State Department also repeated its call to stop the violence, stating: "The escalating violence threatens the process of democratization and reconciliation in Kosovo and must end."

See also

References

Citations

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Sources

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