Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Donika Gërvalla participated in the discussion that was organized at the National Library of Kosovo on the promotion of the book Hallka më e fortë (The Strongest Link), an oral history of survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo”, by Anna Di Lellio, in collaboration with Garentina Kraja.

On this occasion, Minister Gërvalla said the Albanian women were a strong link carrying the society on their shoulders, a link that stood strong in the face of violence, terror and injustice, in the face of rape as a weapon of war and Serbia’s deliberate political strategies that aimed to destroy every trace of humanity in Kosovo.

“They stood, strong and courageous, turning violence into resistance and horror into history that cannot be hidden, forgiven or forgotten. Their strength is greater than any fear, greater than any silence, and greater than any attempt to marginalize her. They are living heroines”, she said.

As was underlined during the discussion, the importance of the book “The Strongest Link” transcends the borders of Kosovo contributing to global efforts aimed to understand and document sexual violence occurring in conflict, and to treat it not only as an individual strategy but as a crime involving institutional and legal responsibility.

“Thanking Ms. Di Lellio and Ms. Kraja for this courageous documentation, I remain confident that our commitment to justice for survivors of sexual violence will make sure Serbian criminals are held accountable for their crimes”, declared Minister Gërvalla.

She reiterated that the courage of Albanian women is the strongest link challenging the silence and inspires justice, adding the justice always finally wins.

Being the newest book by Anna Di Lellio and co-author Garentina Kraja, “The Strongest Link,” documents the oral history of 20 women, out of 20,000, who survived the rape as a weapon of war during the war in Kosovo, and gives a voice to their extraordinary courage and resistance.