Prishtina, 20 June 2023 – The Ombudsperson received complaints from the residents of several neighborhoods of the city of Prishtina regarding parking lots on public property, which are managed by “Parking Prishtina”.

Taking into account the concerns raised by these residents, the Ombudsperson visited the following neighborhoods of the city: Bregu i Dielli (Vëllezërit Gërvalla street, grey flats) and Center (streets: Simon Shiroka, Rexhep Luci, Nurije Zeka and Luan Haradinaj).

In Bregu i Diellit neighborhood, the Ombudsperson met the representatives of the neighborhood, Ms. Jehona Ibraj and Mr. Zekë Islamaj, who closely informed the Ombudsperson regarding the concerns of the residents of these residential buildings. There was a gate placed by “Parking Prishtina”, which was out of order, since as stated by the residents and the notice given earlier by the officials of “Parking Prishtina”, when the residents objected to its placement, they stopped the actions until a new decision from the Municipality of Prishtina and “Parking Prishtina” is issued.

The representatives of the residents of this neighborhood claimed that the part dedicated to parking is theirs, as they considered themselves to be co-owners of the residential units. They complained that this part intended for parking lot is being used by other residents from the nearby residential blocks and they claimed that they opt for a closed parking lot, with a gate installed, but that the parking lot should be managed by them. They stated to have participated in the public hearing organized by the Municipality of Prishtina, for the draft regulation for the organization and use of the parking lots of the Municipality of Prishtina, however, they continue to be dissatisfied if the parking fee is applied.

Meanwhile, in the Neighborhood Center (streets: Simon Shiroka, Rexhep Luci, Nurije Zeka and Luan Haradinaj), the Ombudsperson met the representative of the neighborhood, Ms. Violeta Hasani, and two community police representatives who operate in this neighborhood. Ms. Hasani said that they participated in the public hearing organized by the Municipality of Prishtina for the draft regulation for the organization and use of the parking lots of the Municipality of Prishtina, and the version that is now expected to come into force, the residents of this neighborhood are satisfied, and claimed that they support the management of these parking lots by “Parking Prishtina”.

Residents of this neighborhood also informed about the gate placed by KEDS, for more than 10 years, in one part of the public parking lot, however, they were told by the Municipality that it will be removed with the entry into force of the new regulation, where the power to place gates will be vested to parking Prishtina only.

The Ombudsperson informed the complainants that he will continue to follow up on the issue of the regulation on the organization and use of parking lots of the Municipality of Prishtina, and once it enters into force, it will be assessed whether its provisions will violate the rights of residents and he will act in accordance with the mandate and authorizations he has.