Prishtina, 25^th February – The Ombudsperson, as defender, monitor and promoter of human rights is closely monitoring citizens’ reactions and dissatisfactions related to the hydropower plant construction in river Lumbardh.

Even though development of various forms of sustainable energy provision is an inevitable process and requirement of the time we are living, the Ombudsperson recalls that human rights and fundamental freedoms are inviolable and the bases of legal order in the Republic of Kosovo; and requires that the state carefully evaluates the interest between the importance of energy production through hydropower plant in relation to the impact on the environmental, that might be very severe.

The Ombudsperson deems as necessary that citizens’ request for protection of the river/environment is seriously reviewed by institutions, as the only and inalienable request, so that direct balancing is conducted between citizens’ interest for protection of environment, sustainable development as well as improvement of hydro-energy situation.

The Ombudsperson reminds everyone that participation of citizens on decision making process is the right guaranteed by the Constitution of the country as well as international standards, the process which provides the opportunities to everyone to influence on decisions concerning living environment where he/she lives.

Institutions, in particular ought to respect citizens’ right to be informed concerning environmental issues, as an inevitable process, which should take place prior to any project with environmental impact.

The right to environmental information, the right of public to decide on environmental related issues as well as access to justice are human rights and principles on which rests the entire legislation which adjusts the field of environment in the country.

The Ombudsperson Institution is closely monitoring construction of other hydropower -plants in the country, which have also induced citizens’ dissatisfactions.