Today, 30 August, marks the International Day of the Disappeared. This day serves to raise the worldwide awareness of the authorities, press and general public to the plight of the Missing and their families. This is a sensitive issue which affects thousands of people here in Kosovo and it is of the utmost importance for EULEX.

EULEX assists the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) at the Kosovo Ministry of Justice in its intensive efforts to determine the fate of the Missing. Additionally, EULEX/IFM  activities are closely coordinated with family associations, individual families and several other stakeholders. 

Since December 2008 when EULEX began working with the Institute of Forensic Medicine, the remains of 491 victims from the conflict have been returned to their families. These include 387 missing persons which have been found following intensive field work (in over 554 field operations), laboratory analysis (intensive autopsy and identification work, including over 2100 bone samples selected for DNA analysis) and archival reviews.

The Institute of Forensic Medicine, with the support of EULEX forensic experts, will continue to exercise its mandate to determine the fate of the Missing to whatever extent possible.