February 27, 2015 –The article posted today on Express newspaper portal ( Friday, February  27, 2015, at 15:44), with the title “Exclusive | Kosovo NGO that works for Iran and does the recruitment against America” written by journalist Visar Duriqi, among other things refers to the Ombudsperson with the following paragraph: ” Lately the Ombudsperson has provided support to Shiites initiatives for official separation from BIK when redrafting of the Law on Freedom of Religion takes place, and when new laws in the field of management of religious activities by the state are compiled.”

This is to acknowledge that Ombudsperson in any of his statements or any of his documents has ever affirmed, stated or exposed such opinion. Therefore, whatever has been written in this article about Ombudsperson by journalist Duriqi is inaccurate.

State of Kosovo is determined by its Constitution as neutral and secular state as per matters of religious beliefs, where freedom of belief, conscience and religion are guaranteed by Article 38 of the Constitution.  From this Article derives the Law on Freedom of Religion which is currently under amendment. The Ombudsperson considers crucial that authorities ensure that the organized religious groups which represents historical, cultural and social heritage are included without any discrimination into the Law. Ombudsperson’s statements are consistent in this direction, thus attempts to change or alienate those stands should be considered tendentious and malicious.

The Ombudsperson, on this occasion, requests from all institutions and public authorities of the Republic of Kosovo full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, Laws and International Instruments on Human Rights without any discrimination.