Djuric: Serbia continues to seek justice, accountability for March 2004 atrocity in Kosovo-Metohija

BELGRADE - Twenty-one years ago today, Europe witnessed one of the darkest chapters in its history, a tragedy that left deep scars on humanity’s conscience, Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on the anniversary of the March 2004 pogrom against Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija.

"On March 17-18, 2004, a large-scale pogrom unfolded in Kosovo-Metohija, marking an unprecedented wave of violence, loss of life, ethnic cleansing, and the destruction and desecration of cultural and religious heritage," Djuric wrote in a post on X.

"Twenty lives were tragically lost, including nine Serbs who were brutally murdered, and 11 Albanians who perished in clashes with international security forces. More than 900 Serbs were wounded, while 4,012 were forcibly displaced from their homes.

Six Serbian cities and nine villages were ethnically cleansed, with 935 Serbian homes and 10 public buildings destroyed, set on fire, or damaged," he noted.

"The destruction of 19 monasteries and 16 churches, along with the damage to over 100 other religious buildings dealt a devastating blow to Serbian and Orthodox heritage in our southern province. Thousands of invaluable frescoes, icons, and sacred items were lost forever, as well as centuries-old records of Serbian presence and existence in Kosovo-Metohija.

Honouring the victims, each year, on this day we vow to never forget this horrific chapter of the 21st-century Europe," he added.

"Serbia stands strong in its commitment to protecting its people and heritage, and we continue to seek justice and accountability for this atrocity," Djuric concluded.