Sakharov Prize Network-European Parliament-Ibrahim Rugova (1998)

nga **Agim Gashi** Mon Feb 10, 2014 1:00 pm

In 1998, as the armed conflict between Serbian units and the Kosovo Liberation Army escalated, the European Parliament honoured a man committed to the principle of peaceful resistance to violence.

Accepting the award Rugova said 'this prize represents for me, and for all the people of Kosovo, a recognition of our peaceful struggle and our sacrifices'.

Rugova, who was born on 2 December 1944 in Cerrca (Istog), Kosovo, taught literature at the University of Priština before being elected leader of the Kosovo Democratic Alliance (LDK) in 1989. That year, Belgrade abolished the autonomous status of the province of Kosovo and the Albanians found themselves subject to oppression, with opposition leaders arrested. In 1990 the two million Kosovo Albanians adopted their own constitution. In a 1991 referendum, 97% of them voted for an independent Kosovo, and in 1998 they confirmed Rugova as President of their self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo.

Rugova stuck to his approach based on non-violent opposition to the Serbian regime, constantly reiterating his willingness to enter into dialogue with Belgrade. His position in negotiations was criticised by Adem Demaçi, who was favouring a more nationalistic approach. At the same time, he endeavoured to win over world opinion to his people’s cause. He never faltered in urging the international community to step up its pressure and offer Kosovo protection. Convinced that his people could achieve self-determination only through peace, on 18 March 1999 Rugova signed the Rambouillet peace agreement as the chief negotiator for the Kosovo Albanians. Belgrade’s refusal to endorse the agreement led on 24 March to the launch of NATO attacks on Yugoslavia and the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces from Kosovo. Rugova was forced to go underground. In March 2002 Ibrahim Rugova was elected as the first President of Kosovo. He died of cancer on 21 January 2006.

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