Pristina Mayor Perparim Rama awarded the Key to the City to Serbian human rights activist Natasa Kandic, citing her “role in documenting Serbian crimes during the war in Kosovo,” according to Kosovo Press. The recognition has drawn criticism from some who view it as an endorsement of what they describe as Kandic’s anti-Serbian activism over the years.
Rama emphasized that Kandic spent more than three decades “documenting crimes and working to bring war criminals to justice.” He stated that this symbolic gesture was meant to express gratitude for her “protection of truth and justice.”
“Mrs. Kandic has dedicated more than three decades to documenting war crimes committed between 1992 and 1999 in the territories of the former Yugoslavia,” Rama said. “She founded the Humanitarian Law Center and worked tirelessly to ensure war criminals faced justice—even when it meant confronting painful truths about her own people. Today, with this symbolic act, I want to express our deep gratitude to a woman who devoted her life to protecting truth and justice. Mrs. Kandic’s work, often despite threats and great difficulties, transcended ethnic and national boundaries, honoring all victims of the past. It is for this reason that Pristina has decided to honor her with the Key to the City today, as Kosovo marks the Day of the Disappeared.”
Kandic, for her part, stated that she was honored by the recognition but used the opportunity to reiterate her controversial stance, which critics argue dismisses and humiliates Serbian victims.
“We all know what happened on April 27. Those of us who were in Meja today saw families by gravesides, placing flowers. We know there are still fifteen individuals who were last seen on that April 27, and their fate remains unknown. I want to believe that we will not reach another April 27 without their families having a grave where they can lay flowers,” Kandic said.
The award has reignited debates over historical narratives and victimhood in the region, with some accusing Kandic of bias in her documentation of wartime atrocities. Supporters, however, maintain that her work has been crucial in seeking accountability for crimes committed during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.
