Kosovo: Poisoned by Lead
June 24, 2009

II. Key Recommendations

To the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (in charge of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo)

  • Immediately nominate the UN Kosovo Team (under the leadership of the UN Development Coordinator) to take over urgent medical evacuation, administration of medical treatment, and devising sustainable long-term solutions, for all camp residents (Cesmin Lug and Osterode as a priority, followed by Leposavic).
  • Comply speedily with any finding by the Human Rights Advisory Panel.

To the United Nations Kosovo Team (including UNHCR, UNDP, WHO, UNEP)

  • Arrange an acceptable temporary housing solution for residents of the Cesmin Lug and Osterode camps and relocate them immediately.
  • Close and seal the Cesmin Lug and Osterode camps.
  • Urgently organize treatment for lead contamination.
  • Consult all camp residents (including those living in Leposavic) about their preferred long-term housing solution and proceed with planning accordingly.

To the Government of Kosovo

  • Support financially the relocation and medical treatment of the camp residents, including by ensuring that adequate funds are available to relevant Kosovo ministries.
  • Ensure that returnees to the Roma Mahalla have access to welfare, health, and education services, security, and access to employment as a matter of priority.

To the Serb-controlled Municipal Authorities

  • Allocate suitable land to facilitate a sustainable long-term solution for the camp residents in the Mitrovica region who wish to remain in the area north of the Ibar River.
  • Ensure access to welfare, health, and education services for displaced Roma in north Mitrovica, including access to health and education for those who return to the Roma Mahalla yet for practical reasons (such as a language barrier) cannot use facilities in south Mitrovica.

To the European Commission and Other International Donors

  • Provide financial support to facilitate urgent medical evacuation-to cover short-term housing and longer-term sustainable housing costs, medical treatment costs, and income generation projects to ensure economic sustainability.

To the Human Rights Advisory Panel

  • Promptly determine the merits of the claim from 2008 against UNMIK by around 180 Roma families alleging violations of the right to life, health, housing, and lack of access to a legal remedy, among others.

To Roma Camp Leaders in the Mitrovica Region

  • Collaborate with all relevant authorities to ensure the timely relocation of the residents of the Cesmin Lug, Osterode, and Leposavic camps, the camps' permanent closure, and medical treatment to all persons in need.