Prishtinë, 20 October 2020 – The Ombudsperson, on the occasion of the Universal Children’s Day, calls upon institutions to take care of the respect of children’s rights and their welfare.

Today we mark Universal Children’s Day and the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is the most important international instrument on this field. The purpose of marking this day, among others, is emphasizing of the importance for the society of promoting children’s well-being and ensuring respect for their rights.

This year has been very difficult for children in Kosovo as well as around the world, measures set in preventing COVID-19 spreading have consisted mainly in locking schools, isolation at home and restricted movement. These restrictions have affected children and their families, and have further revealed shortcomings and lack of special measures in accomplishing children’s rights.

Social isolation, restriction of movement as well as other limitations have not been supported by measures which facilitate children’s health and safety. Institutions continuously have not shown appropriate attention that in the course of planning of such measures, give due consideration to ensuring the principle of best interests of the child so that children are protected from potential violations of their rights.

The Ombudsperson in particular requires from the institutions that in the course of approving support packages, involve specific measures to support children in street situation, disabled children as well as children living in difficult economic situation. These measures should be associated with sustainable funding in order to respond to health, social and economic crisis caused by COVID-19, including them as additional measures in order to ensure children’s life and health.