Pristina, February 21, 2023 – On the occasion of International Mother Language Day 2023, the Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo and the Office of the Language Commissioner wish to emphasize jointly the importance of multilingualism and multilingual education.

Language is not merely a tool for communication in day-to-day life; it is central to the preservation of one’s cultural identity and to learning about the culture of others. Language and culture are essential components of our identities and bring communities together. Celebrating and learning one’s language is also important to ensure that every person achieves literacy and numeracy.

We would like to emphasize that the realization of language rights is essential for the attainment of civil, political, cultural and economic rights as enshrined by international human rights standards. Learning in one’s native language also builds a critical foundation towards preserving linguistic diversity and building an inclusive society. It is our duty to remind state institutions of their obligations to abide by both domestic laws and international standards when it comes to the right to use language. As such, our two institutions continue to work together to support multilingualism and implementation of applicable language standards across Kosovo.

UNMIK and IOM look forward to supporting both institutions’ efforts in protecting and promoting language rights as a driver for peace, mutual understanding and friendly relations among people in Kosovo.