What were Slobodan Milosevic's policies towards Kosovo?

Slobodan Milosevic's policies towards Kosovo were largely oppressive, marked by ethnic discrimination, violence, and attempts at Serbianisation.

Slobodan Milosevic, the former President of Serbia and Yugoslavia, had a contentious relationship with Kosovo, a region with a majority Albanian population. His policies were largely driven by a nationalist agenda that sought to consolidate Serbian control over the region, often at the expense of the Albanian majority.

One of the key aspects of Milosevic's policies was the revocation of Kosovo's autonomy in 1989. This move was part of a broader strategy to centralise power and strengthen Serbian control over the region. The revocation of autonomy led to widespread protests and unrest, which were met with a heavy-handed response from the Serbian authorities.

Milosevic's regime also implemented a policy of 'Serbianisation' in Kosovo. This involved the systematic discrimination against the Albanian population in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and public services. The Serbian language was imposed in schools and public institutions, while Albanians were often excluded from jobs and opportunities. This policy of discrimination and marginalisation fuelled resentment and resistance among the Albanian population.

In addition to these policies, Milosevic's regime was also responsible for widespread violence and human rights abuses in Kosovo. The late 1990s saw a brutal crackdown on the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), an armed group fighting for Kosovo's independence. This crackdown, known as the Kosovo War, resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of a large portion of the population. The war ended in 1999 with the intervention of NATO, but not before numerous atrocities had been committed.

In summary, Milosevic's policies towards Kosovo were characterised by a combination of political repression, ethnic discrimination, and violence. These policies not only exacerbated tensions between Serbs and Albanians, but also led to widespread human rights abuses and a devastating war.