Pristina, December 2nd, 2025 –  with the theme “The Future of Human Rights in the Middle of Global Transformations: National Challenges and International Obligations”.

The Ombudsperson, Mr. Naim Qelaj, said that this meeting with national and international partners and collaborators will be an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences, and thanked the participants for their contribution.

He emphasized that in the times we are living today in the midst of global transformations, developments that have never been seen before, the way of making decisions and processing data from new technological developments, are affecting dimensions of privacy, equality and freedom.

The Ombudsperson said that these rapid developments are affecting the lives of individuals more than any other mechanism – therefore, transparency, responsibility and ethics are required, and technology should not be allowed to become a tool of discrimination or manipulation.

He also highlighted international crises, such as the one in the Middle East and the aggression against Ukraine, which are proving that peace is much more fragile than previously thought. “These remind us that human rights violations are not simply a country’s internal affairs; they are warning signals that affect regional and international security. History has taught us that when human rights fail, peace and stability also fail,” said Mr. Qelaj.

The Ombudsperson said that in the face of all these challenges, it is imperative that states take concrete measures to strengthen and guarantee the independence of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). “Without independence, these institutions lose their function, just as without adequate resources, they lose their effectiveness and without institutional and political support, they lose the impact they should have in a democratic society,” he added.

Speeches were delivered by the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Dimal Basha, the President of the Constitutional Court, Mr. Nexhmi Rexhepi, and the Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, Ms. Sirpa Rautio, via video message.

The conference was divided into two sessions, the first of which was on the topic of “Changing Priorities: Human Rights in a Changing World – Perspectives from Human Rights Networks” and this panel was attended by: Dr. Joseph Zammit McKeon, Vice-President, International Ombudsperson Institute (IOI); Ms. Erinda Ballanca, President, Mediterranean Ombudsmen Association (AOM); Ms. Simona Drenik Bavdek, Board Member, European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI); and Mr. Patrick Charlier, Chair, European Network of Equality Bodies (EQUINET). The panel was moderated by Ms. Majlinda Lulaj, Deputy Ombudsperson.

The second session discussed the topic “National Responses to Global Challenges: Best Practices for the Protection of Human Rights”. The panel was attended by: Mr. Mehmet Akarca, Chief Ombudsperson, Turkey; Dr. Robert Gajda, Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, Albania; Dr. Andrew Forde, Commissioner, Human Rights and Equality Commission, Ireland; Dr. Jolita Miliuvienė, Parliamentary Ombudsperson, Lithuania; and Ms. Feride Rushiti, Executive Director, Kosovo Centre for the Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors. This panel was moderated by Ms. Anita Çavdarbasha Korenica, Deputy Ombudsperson.

The conference was supported by OSCE Mission in Kosovo.