Demands justice for survivors of sexual violence during the 1999 Kosovo war, particularly U.S. citizen Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman, by urging accountability and investigations by both Kosovo and Serbia, and calling on the U.S. government to increase its commitment to preventing gender-based violence.
Julie Johnson
Representative
TX-32
This bill addresses the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war during the 1999 Kosovo conflict, focusing on the case of U.S. citizen Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman. It calls for accountability and justice for survivors, urging both the Kosovo and Serbian governments to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of these crimes. The bill also requests the U.S. government to strengthen its commitment to preventing gender-based violence and to support educational, research, and advocacy projects in Kosovo.
Resolution Targets Impunity for 1999 Kosovo War Sexual Violence, Urges Justice for U.S. Citizen Survivor
This resolution tackles the long-standing issue of unpunished sexual violence committed during the 1999 Kosovo war. It specifically acknowledges the harrowing experience of U.S. citizen Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman and the estimated 20,000 others who endured conflict-related sexual violence. The core goal is clear: push for accountability and justice for these survivors, decades after the conflict ended.
Beyond Recognition: Calls to Action
The resolution doesn't just offer sympathy; it lays out concrete demands. It strongly condemns using rape as a weapon of war and points out the failure to bring anyone to justice for the crimes against Ms. Krasniqi Goodman. It calls on the Kosovo government to stick to its own protocols for handling sexual violence cases and speed up investigations related to the 1999 war. For Serbia, the demands are pointed: prosecute those responsible for the crimes against Ms. Krasniqi Goodman, stop shielding or celebrating alleged war criminals involved in the Kosovo conflict, actively investigate and prosecute these individuals, enforce laws against sexual violence, and figure out ways to extradite perpetrators to Kosovo to face justice.
Washington's Role: Diplomacy and Dollars
The resolution also outlines expectations for the U.S. government. It calls for a stronger commitment to preventing gender-based violence globally. Specifically, it asks U.S. officials to bring up Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman's case directly with the Serbian government, emphasizing accountability. The U.S. is also urged to monitor Serbia's progress (or lack thereof) in investigating and prosecuting these wartime sexual violence cases. Furthermore, the resolution advocates for allocating U.S. funds for projects in Kosovo focused on education, research, advocacy, training for law enforcement and judges, and crucially, a rehabilitation center for survivors dealing with war trauma and sexual violence, also offering vocational training.
The Bottom Line: Pursuing Long-Overdue Justice
Essentially, this resolution is a formal push from the U.S. legislature to address impunity surrounding horrific crimes committed over two decades ago. It aims to leverage diplomatic pressure and potential funding to support survivors and encourage both Kosovo and Serbia to take tangible steps towards justice. While resolutions like this don't have the force of law themselves, they signal U.S. priorities and can influence foreign policy actions and international dialogue surrounding accountability for war crimes and support for survivors of gender-based violence. The focus is on ensuring these crimes aren't forgotten and that those responsible eventually face consequences.