Yugoslavia: Police violence against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo Province

Index Number: EUR 70/006/1994
Date Published: 31 March 1994
Categories: Europe And Central Asia

Police violence against ethnic Albanians in the predominantly-Albanian populated province of Kosovo has escalated since the beginning of 1994. Officers of the largely Serbian police force have carried out arms searches, often arresting and severly beating male members of families even when no weapons have been found. Women, elderly people and minors have also been beaten. Political activists, particularly members of the LDK, are among the most frequent targets of police violence; teachers, students and academics are also subject to harassment. Also described are incidents of violence against ethnic Albanians by border guards, generally at border crossings with Hungary and with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.