Pristina, October 27, 2023 – Ombudsperson, Naim Qelaj, his deputy Basri Kastrati and Shqipe Ibraj Mala, director of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, visited the border crossing with Albania, Vermica, where they were received by the lieutenant colonel of the Kosovo Police, Fazli Rugova, from the border department.

The latter and other Kosovo police officials presented their work and the activities in terms of border police duties. They gave statistics and presented the joint work of the police of the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Albania in relation to immigrants and asylum seekers, who pass legally and illegally through these two countries.

They pointed out that from January to October of this year, more than nine million citizens passed through this border point, considering it the largest flow ever at the Vrmica border crossing. This border crossing, with a green line of 42 kilometers, is patrolled together with the border police of the Republic of Albania.

The border police pointed out that immigrants use the territory of Kosovo as a transit country. They added that there was no complaint to the border police regarding the treatment of foreigners, passing through the territory of Kosovo, by providing protection and services according to international conventions on refugees.

Ombudsperson Qelaj said that such visits increase cooperation and that he is ready to continue cooperation in other areas with the sole aim of further improving respect for human rights. He is also familiar with the small number of border police officers and the great need for increasing human capacities and greater budgetary support.

Those present had the opportunity to see the premises where asylum seekers and immigrants are accepted and transported. This border crossing has two rooms for temporary detention and a room for interviews. They also visited the areas where vehicles and individuals are checked on.

This visit was organized by UNHCR and the non-governmental organization “Program for Civil Rights in Kosovo” (CRPK).