Pristina, March 29, 2024 – The Ombudsperson, based on Article 135, paragraph 1, of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and Article 29, paragraphs 1 and 2, of Law no. 05/L-019 for the Ombudsperson, submitted today the Report for the year 2023 to the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo.

The report presents the state of human rights in the country and the work of the Ombudsperson’s Institution, as well as provides an analysis and assessment of the situation regarding certain forms of violation of the rights of individuals or certain social groups.

In 2023, the Ombudsperson received 1660 complaints from the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, with complaints about violations of human rights and freedoms by public authorities in the Republic of Kosovo. From the cases examined during this year, 836 recommendations were addressed to the authorities, of which 300 are recommendations from the investigations completed this year, while 536 are recommendations carried over from the previous year, with a deadline for implementation in the year for which it is reported.

Delays in court procedures account for the largest number of complaints received, denying citizens the right to a fair trial. Other complaints are related to the right to legal remedies, the right to work and exercise the profession, health and social protection, property protection, equality before the law, the rights of the accused, the rights of the child. etc.

The report contains recommendations for the authorities responsible for the issues that have been handled by the Ombudsperson, but also opinions and proposals for taking measures to contribute and raise awareness in raising respect for human rights.

As for the implementation of the Ombudsperson’s recommendations by the authorities, the report finds that the level of implementation is 28 percent, significantly higher than in previous years, but still more commitment and dedication is required to increase implementation up to in reaching the level when all recommendations are implemented.

The Ombudsperson welcomes the review of the Annual Report by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, in a plenary session as provided for in Article 29, paragraph 3, of Law no. 05/L-019 for the Ombudsperson.