Pristina, October 21, 2022 – Ombudsperson, Mr. Naim Qelaj met on Friday Mrs. Sirpa Rautio, director of the Finnish Center for Human Rights, and chair of the European Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ENHRRI).

Mr. Qelaj informed Ms. Rautio for its expanded role and mandate given by the country’s Constitution, including the main role as a legal mechanism for the protection, supervision and promotion of the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens. It is also an equality mechanism for the promotion, monitoring and support of equal treatment without discrimination on the grounds protected by the Law on Gender Equality and the Law on Protection from Discrimination.

Likewise, the IAP acts as the National Mechanism for the prevention of torture, and there are 18 other laws that include the role and work of the Ombudsperson.

The Ombudsperson also informed her about Kosovo’s application to the Council of Europe and the importance of this membership for the country’s citizens. He also underlined the digitization process and the capacity building projects with the support of international organizations.

Ms. Rautio has long experience in the field of human rights through various missions of international organizations. She emphasized that she has been in Kosovo since 1999, when the first murders began in Drenica, working for the office of the UN Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Ombudsperson’s Institution is a member of ENNHRI since 2013 and has contributed a lot to joint work and activities.