October 13, 2015 – The Ombudsman Mr. Hilmi Jashari today visited Lipjani and met with the Mayor of this town, Mr. Imri Ahmeti. The purpose of his visit was to jointly discuss cooperation opportunities on the best interest of citizens and in scope of this, to increase the efficiency of case resolving as per the cases registered with Ombudsperson Institution coming from Lipjan municipality. During the meeting other issues have been discussed as well, which require commitment of the central institutions in order to overcome the problems. The Ombudsperson and the Mayor of Lipjan agreed on regular contacts of relevant levels between two institutions, which will contribute to effective interagency communication and provision of best possible public services.

Within the scope of visits and regular contacts that OI has with correctional facilities and detention centers, the Ombudsperson also visited today the Correctional Center for Women and Juveniles in Lipjan and met the director of this center Mr. Heset Loku. The meeting was focused on the opportunities provided mainly to female juveniles as per their education while they are placed there as well as on the difficulties and challenges that the management and staff of this center face. Mutual cooperation instituted between OI and Correctional Centre in Lipjan was highly appreciated from both parties in the meeting.

On his way back, the Ombudsman visited the Centre for Asylum Seekers, located in Magurë, in municipality of Lipjan, where he met with the manager of the Centre, Mr. Fitim Zariqi with whom he discussed about the work and conditions that are offered in this center for those seeking asylum in our country. Furthermore, Mr. Jashari was informed by Mr. Zariqi regarding the readiness that this center has in terms of planning and in terms of cooperation with relevant institutions and mechanisms, in case asylum seekers or immigrants’ influx, on arranging itself to fulfill standards required in such cases. The Ombudsman expressed his readiness for cooperation, not only in terms of monitoring the respect of human rights of asylum seekers, but also in terms of the contribution of the institution under his conduct, in the context of strategic planning for situations when this is required.