Prishtina, December 10, 2025 – The Ombudsperson, Mr. Naim Qelaj, submitted to the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo the report on the implementation of the Law on Protection from Discrimination (LPD) for the year 2024.

Regarding the implementation of the LPD by the relevant authorities, the report revealed the fact that even though some institutions have created mechanisms for protection from discrimination, the situation remains fragmented. Most institutions do not keep separate registers for cases of discrimination, do not have functional mechanisms and do not publish information on official websites for reporting complaints to the Ombudsperson.

The cases reported during 2024 are few and are often treated without clear standards. Furthermore, most of the recommendations from the Ombudsperson’s Report for 2023 have not been implemented, including the establishment of a data collection system, the functioning of anti-discrimination units and the training of personnel.

Based on the complaints received and investigated during 2024, the Ombudsperson finds that discrimination in Kosovo remains widespread. Numerous cases relate to discrimination on the basis of age, especially against older persons who face restrictions in health and social services. In employment, problems with lack of transparency, unequal treatment and unlawful termination of employment continue. Gender inequalities remain pronounced, both in representation in decision-making positions and in women’s property and inheritance rights. Non-majority communities continue to be underrepresented in the public sector, while persons with disabilities face numerous barriers in accessing public services, employment and health support.

The findings also identify shortcomings in the health sector, including the lack of essential medicines and the Health Information System. Cases of religious discrimination, inadequate inclusion of LGBTIQ+ persons and lack of protective measures for victims of violence, especially women victims of sexual violence during the war, have been identified. In general, the Ombudsperson notes systematic barriers and discriminatory practices that require sustained intervention by the authorities.

The Ombudsperson reiterates the obligation for all public institutions to draft action plans and operationalize mechanisms for protection from discrimination, to clarify the competencies of the relevant authorities during the amendments to the Law on Protection from Discrimination, to train personnel, to create and maintain standardized registers for cases of discrimination, to have courts separately record these cases in their systems, while public institutions to clearly publish procedures for filing complaints and to raise citizens’ awareness of protection from discrimination.

This report, like the 2023 report, is supported by the Council of Europe office in Pristina.