Summary of HCONRES 26

Bill Number: HCONRES 26

Title: Calling for the end of impunity of unpunished Serbian sexual war crimes during the 1999 Kosovo war in the case of United States citizen and sexual war crime survivor Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman and other survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

Status: Submitted in House

Introduced: April 10, 2025

Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

HCONRES 26 is a resolution introduced in the House of Representatives that aims to address the lack of accountability for sexual war crimes committed during the 1999 Kosovo War. It specifically highlights the case of Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman, a U.S. citizen and survivor of sexual violence, and calls for justice for her and other victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes several important provisions:

1. Condemnation of Sexual Violence: It finds it reprehensible that no individuals have been held accountable for the sexual war crimes against Ms. Krasniqi Goodman and strongly condemns the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.

2. Call for Investigations: It underscores the necessity for transparent and independent investigations into gender-based war crimes.

3. Support for Kosovo's Efforts: The resolution commends the Government of Kosovo for its approach to addressing sexual violence during the war and calls for the prioritization of cases related to the 1999 conflict.

4. Demands from Serbia: It urges the Government of Serbia to:

   • Bring perpetrators of sexual war crimes to justice.
   • Cease the protection of individuals involved in war crimes.
   • Enforce laws to hold known perpetrators accountable.
   • Establish mechanisms for tracking and extraditing offenders.

5. U.S. Government Actions: The resolution calls on the U.S. Government to:

   • Strengthen commitments to combat gender-based violence.
   • Elevate the case of Ms. Krasniqi Goodman in diplomatic discussions with Serbia.
   • Monitor Serbia's efforts to investigate and prosecute sexual violence cases.
   • Allocate funding for educational and advocacy projects in Kosovo, including support for rehabilitation centers.

Affected Parties

The resolution primarily affects:
- Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence from the Kosovo War, particularly Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman.
- Governments of Kosovo and Serbia, which are called upon to take specific actions regarding accountability and justice.
- The U.S. Government, which is urged to enhance its role in addressing these issues through diplomatic and financial support.

Procedural Aspects

• Date of Introduction: April 10, 2025
• Legislative Actions: The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the same day it was submitted.

This resolution seeks to bring attention to the ongoing issues of impunity for sexual war crimes and aims to foster accountability and support for survivors, thereby contributing to broader efforts to combat gender-based violence in conflict situations.