Kosovo Ombudsperson investigating UNMIK's role in toxic Gypsy camp tragedy

July 14, 2008

Comment: Just two weeks ago the Kosov@Post ran a two page “eyewitness account” concerning the tragedy of Gypsies living on top of a toxic waste site (lead) in north of Mitrovica.

Since then immediately the Acting Ombudsperson of Kosovo Hilmi Jashari stated to open an ex-officio investigation, pursuant to UNMIK Regulation 2006/06, after as well receiving a number of information that human rights violation was taking place.

Again worth mentioning Polansky’s article which reported that the only medical treatment for lead poisoning required immediate evacuation and hospitalization. It should be kept in mind that lead poisoning causes irreversible brain damage which usually begins at 10 mg/dl, especially in children under the age of six whose immune system have yet to develop. Many children in these camps already were over 65 mg/dl, the highest level the WHO machine could read. Short after it was discovered that one seven year old boy had lead level of 120 mg/dl, the highest lead level in medical history.

Roma children not having a normal childhood meaning improper education, exploited by their own families, but also an unsafe environment, should be considered as a priority.

An anonym’s individual who is familiar with the case claimed that UNMIK has been unable to relocate the Gypsies because no community in Kosovo will accept them, and that any community to have the Gypsies forced upon, would react violently.