Prishtinë, 29 April 2020. – Even before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence was already one of the biggest human rights violations. The Ombudsperson Institution, during the period of fighting the spread of pandemics and measures undertaken for citizens established by the Ministry of Health, has been notified on the increase of reported number of domestic violence cases. According to official data obtained from Kosovo Police, in March 2019, the number of reported cases was 124, while 169 cases were reported during March 2020. It is obvious that the number of reported cases of domestic violence has increased by 36% compared to the same period last year. Currently in all shelters in the country, the number of sheltered victims is 43.

While health emergency caused slow down of courts’ functioning and postponement of non-urgent court hearings, safety of the victim and her children should remain a primary concern for law enforcement institutions as well as judicial authorities for immediate actions, prevention and protection. Accordingly, state institutions remain committed to their liabilities to provide victims with appropriate and immediate protection from the risk of violence.

The Ombudsperson draws attention on state’s obligation towards international human rights standards, to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate, punish and ensure compensation for acts of violence, pursuant to their obligations under the European Convention on  Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

In a situation of increased number of cases of violence, risk assessment and management for victims of violence remain essential. Attention also should be paid to the need for financial support on which many women will depend after being relocated to a shelter for victims of violence.

It is of particular importance that domestic violence victims are placed in a safe environment, away from the violence applied on them, and above all, are located in an environment that keeps them safe from COVID-19 virus infection.

The Ombudsperson calls upon all citizens to restrain from using any kind of violence against their family members, especially against the most vulnerable categories such as: women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

On the other hand, any kind of action which violates the physical integrity of citizens, including domestic violence, should be reported to authorities, so that these bodies have the opportunity to guarantee safety for the life of every citizen in the country, even during pandemic.

We would like to remind you that the Ombudsperson Institution remains on citizens’ disposal, whenever they can consider that the public authorities have violated or have not guaranteed their fundamental rights, which arise from the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and the applicable laws, but also from international human rights instruments, applicable in the Republic of Kosovo.