UNMIK/PR/832
Wednesday, 25 September 2002

SRSG visits Skenderaj/Srbica

SRSG Michael Steiner visited Skenderaj/Srbica today where a photo exhibition of clothing and personal belongings of unidentified human remains is ongoing for families of missing persons.

The clothing and personal effects are from remains found in a mass grave in Petrovo Selo, Serbia: the UNMIK Office of Missing Persons and Forensics believes these remains may be of victims of the 'Izbice (Kosovo) massacre' of March 1999.

The exhibition has been organised by Office of Missing Persons and Forensics in conjunction with ICRC and ICMP (the International Commission on Missing Persons). The ICRC has contacted some 90 families living in the area who have people missing since that event.

The ICRC has been transporting family members from outlying villages to view some 144 photographs during the two-day exhibition.

If a family recognises any clothing, the OMPF-MPU then conducts a full anti-mortem-postmortem comparison DNA testing may also be required.

SRSG Michael Steiner then also visited the Municipal Administrator and Assembly President. Finally he received a warm welcome at the Gjorj Kastrati school in Gllogovac where some 4,000 students attend two facilities.