In Kosovo, the violent war dates back 20 years, but its legacy on society has not been dealt with sufficiently and as such that period still impacts the daily lives of many Kosovars. In 2017, the president of Kosovo initiated the idea for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Kosovo, with the ultimate objective to reconcile communities within Kosovo.
The initiative is not without criticism, as public trust in government institutions or the legal system is low. Civil society members (Integra and New Social Initiative) of the Preparatory Team for the establishment of the TRC conducted a public perception survey about this future Commission; analyzing risks and opportunities, and proposing a set of policy recommendations. To maximize the positive societal impact of this mechanism it needs to act fully independently, have an inclusive and victim-centred approach and report transparently.
The study was authorized by the Preparatory Team for the establishment of the TRC, supported by the US Embassy in Kosovo, Embassy of Switzerland in Kosovo and Rockefeller Brothers Fund, with advisory support of the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and PAX.