Prishtinë, August, 13 2015 – The Ombudsperson Mr. Hilmi Jashari, has visited an Egyptian family residing in Peja who suffered arson attach within their property during which the entire construction material provided to them for home construction has been completely damaged.

This vandal action conducted against the property of this family is intolerable and in negation with general principles of human rights. Use and peaceful enjoyment of own property by each legal or natural person is a right that is guaranteed by the Constitution of the country as well as by European Constitution on Human Rights and valuable equally for each person.

Such deeds, like this one against Egyptian family in Peja, urge the fear of non-majority communities and represent obstacle for a sustainable integration. Responsibility of the state is to identify motives of such actions, which devastate the core values on which the democracy is based and functions as well as should be committed in establishing favorable conditions for a joint life.

The Ombudsperson highly appreciates and expresses his deep gratitude for the prompt actions of Kosovo Police on investigation conducted regarding the case and appropriate reaction of Peja municipal authorities in provision of assistance to this family.

Inclusiveness and tolerance promotion comprise two core elements in establishing the culture and habits against each kind of discrimination.

The Ombudsperson calls upon the necessity of further institutional commitment on central and local level as well as presence of tangible projects for integration of minority communities. Preventing discriminatory deeds and violence towards non-majority communities in the country, requires joint institutional, social and medial engagement in order to respect human rights as well as to promote the universal values of functioning of the democratic society.