18 July 2012 – The Ombudsperson, Mr. Sami Kurteshi expresses his concern regarding environmental situation created after the shutting down of waste landfills in the Municipalities, which are managed by the Kosovo Company for Landfills Management (KCLM).
The Ombudsperson Institution (OIK) investigated management of these landfills by KCLM and drew attention to relevant institutions and public regarding escalation of situation in managing these landfills. The situation significantly deteriorated since early in the morning of 17 July 2012, when the landfills managed by KCLM have been completely shutdown.
Bearing in mind maladministration of the waste, as well as their impact in pollution of the environment, risk of harm, blasts and fires, especially direct threat to the lives and health of our citizens, the Ombudsperson considers performance of the relevant authorities at the central and local level as irresponsible.

Bearing in mind failure of relevant mechanisms to carry out their legal obligations for administration and handling of waste and the purpose to overcome this situation the Ombudsperson calls on the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning and the Ministry of Economic Development to take immediate measures in order to open the landfills and to avoid the current situation. The Ombudsperson also urges the Prosecution and relevant Courts to commence legal proceedings against all individuals and relevant institutions involved in this situation.