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Ombudsperson’s reaction related to the separation of community children in city’s festivity

18/05/2022

The Ombudsperson expresses his concern and considers unacceptable any discrimination, different treatment or discrimination of children as reported by the media to have occurred at the Festival of the first graders held yesterday on 17.05.2022 in Peja.

On this occasion, the Ombudsperson draws attention to the fact that the principle of non-discrimination is the basis and one of the main values ​​of the Constitutional and institutional order in Kosovo. Furthermore, the organization of education in Kosovo is based on the principle of inclusive education, which means that educational and training institutions should accommodate all children, regardless of their physical, intellectual, social, linguistic or other conditions, and should promote integration and contact between children. Any segregation of children on the basis of their ethnicity constitutes a serious violation of these principles.

The Ombudsperson calls on MEST to investigate and address this case with priority and to take measures so that such cases do not occur in the future.

The Ombudsperson also recalls that Ashkali, Egyptian and Roma children continue to face inequality in access and participation at all levels of education. Discrimination and their segregation is one of the challenges that make it impossible for them to access this. It is the primary responsibility of the institutions but also of all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo to react to racist actions and language in order to contribute to a fairer and more equal society.