Pristina, September 18, 2022 – The Ombudsperson, in order to fulfill the constitutional and legal obligations, taking into consideration the recent situation created due to the strike organized by the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosova – BSPK, calls on the parties to reflect and find solutions to get out of this situation.

In recent days, the Ombudsperson has held separate meetings with representatives of the Trade Unions and the Government in an effort to help get out of this situation. Despite the efforts made by him as a mediator, unfortunately no agreement has been reached between the parties. The parties have not found a consensus maintaining the same position when it comes to the question of the financial height of the support package.

The Ombudsperson, Mr. Naim Qelaj reminded the parties that every position or action, at the center of every priority, should have the best interest of the child and the children’s right to education, as a right guaranteed by the Constitution. The principle of the best interest for children should guide each of us in fulfilling our obligations and responsibilities.

He also recalls the constitutional and legal responsibility of the government and the positive obligation that the state has for respecting the right to education and respecting human rights and freedoms, as defined in the Constitution.

On the other hand, the Ombudsperson reiterates the importance of respecting the right to union organization and the right to union actions, but in the current situation, every missed lesson has irreparable consequences for children and the continuation of non-participation in lessons it is harmful in many aspects. Every lesson for children is important for preparing them for life and raising their potential for a better future.

The Ombudsperson, again through this communique, publicly calls on the parties to reflect, to find a solution to get out of this situation, so that the children can enjoy the right to education.

In the end, the Ombudsperson concludes that in the created situation the right to education as a constitutional right is not being respected, that children are being deprived of the right to education, and this will have serious consequences for children and for the country.