Prishtinë, 10 December 2015 – This year, the 10^th of December, International Human Rights Day, coincides with 50 years of adoption of International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by the United Nations General Assembly, which along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights became the International Bill of Human Rights.

Adoption of these two Covenants has placed human rights and rule of law on the core of the function of many countries of the world. Today, more than ever, we observe the importance of valuing such rights opposite to concerns and global challenges, highly is evaluated the importance that these documents have as per strengthening of judicial system, building a sustainable economic system as well as improvement of peoples’ welfare.

Constitution of Republic of Kosovo has included these two Covenants as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantee the respect and protection of human rights, while their implementation remains a process that requires continuous institutional and social commitment. Ombudsperson’s annual report, which is submitted to the Assembly of Kosovo on annual basis, reflects the situation of human rights and freedoms in the country, based on the standards set in the aforementioned documents. At the same time, it calls upon authorities’ attention on strengthening of judicial system, through a sustainable economic system, which is keen on respecting rights and freedoms of everyone.

In order to promote and raise awareness of the two Covenants on their 50th anniversary, the United Nations, namely the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, launched, on the International Day on Human Rights, the campaign “Our Rights. Our freedoms. Always“- a year-long campaign to shine a light on the inalienable and inherent rights but to raise awareness as well not only on the protectors of human rights, civil society and its activists but of state institutions as well, with emphases on independent institutions, which promote and protect human rights and freedoms, such is the case with Ombudsperson Institution in Republic of Kosovo.