22 January 2013 – The representatives of the Ombudsperson Institution, representatives of the Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims and Council for Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms met with the President of the Assembly of Kosovo Mr. Jakup Krasniqi in order to inform him on the activities of Work Group (composed of these three organizations) for creation of Preventive Mechanism Against Torture.

The Governments of the UN Member States are bound to establish Preventive Mechanism against Torture which carries out regular visits to places where persons deprived of their liberty are held. This mechanism is independent, and aims to protect, respect and fulfil Human Rights of persons in detention facilities in compliance with Human Rights standards and applicable laws of Kosovo. The Optional Protocol of the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment sets forth internationally recognized standards of Human Rights for prevention of torture and ill-treatment.

The President of the Assembly of Kosovo Mr. Jakup Krasniqi welcomed the initiative of Work Group by promising support until the moment when this Mechanism, after the creation of a legal base and sponsoring by the Government of Kosovo, will be voted by the Assembly’s MPs.

The President of the Assembly of Kosovo Mr. Jakup Krasniqi emphasized the importance of observance of Human Rights in general and in particular of the persons deprived of their liberty as a perquisite for establishing a democratic State.

During its activities, the Work Group has visited countries in the region in order to get acquainted with the work of current mechanisms and it also plans other visits. This Work Group in the future will also meet the Prime Minister and the President of Kosovo in order to inform them about establishing the Preventive Mechanism against Torture, as well as with the Heads of Parliamentary Groups within the Assembly of Kosovo.