GfbV calls on EU governments to evacuate camp residents and decontaminate the surrounding area

Society for Threatened Peoples International (STPI) President Tilman Zülch has warmly welcomed the European Parliament's Resolution on Kosovo which among other matters expresses concern regarding the situation of the Roma and Ashkali residents of the lead-contaminated Osterode and Česmin Lug/ Česmin Lukë camps housing internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North Mitrovica/Mitrovicë. The problem is caused by the toxic mine tailings from the Trepca mine, which was closed in 2000.

"The Resolution adopted yesterday sends out an important message but further action is needed", declared Society for Threatened Peoples International (STPI) President Tilman Zülch. "The Government of Kosovo must take urgent steps to close down the camps immediately and evacuate the camp residents and other local people to a safe and healthy environment elsewhere in Kosovo. They require comprehensive medical treatment and the EU must be prepared to meet the necessary cost. At the same time the mine will need to be put up for sale with a view to remediating the heavy metal-contaminated tailings because Albanians and Serbs living in the area are also affected by the toxic waste. STPI has written to the governments of all EU member states today calling for their support.

To STPI's knowledge there has been no improvement in the situation of the Roma and Ashkali living in the two camps since Kosovo declared its independence in February 2008. The young country lacks the necessary financial resources. All 638 of the camps' residents, among them 324 children (including 217 under ten years old) are still exposed to extremely high levels of toxic heavy metals including lead, arsenic, antimony, cadmium and manganese. Current proposals envisage the relocation of no more than 50 of the 141 families.