Pristina, March 15, 2024 – Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj participated in the conference “Implementation of the Istanbul Convention through judicial practice: Judicial Dialogue for an Effective Judicial Response”, organized by the Council of Europe Office in Pristina and AIRE Centre.

The participants discussed the effective implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Istanbul Convention, which requires the approximation and harmonization of the local legislative framework and the raising of the institutions’ capacities to ensure proper implementation in practice.

The Ombudsperson, Naim Qelaj, participated in the second panel on the topic “Judicial dialogue to ensure adequate combating of violence against women and domestic violence”.

He emphasized that the Ombudsperson’s Institution has contributed through his recommendations and stances and has influenced the functioning of the justice system to provide effective and efficient protection, applying standards that are in line with the Istanbul Convention.

“The role of the Ombudsperson has the character of preventive intervention by addressing recommendations for taking measures that improve the institutional response to eliminate domestic violence,” he said.

Mr. Qelaj took as examples some cases of domestic violence and gender-based violence, handled by the Ombudsperson’s Institution, finding that the state authorities have failed to fulfill their positive obligations to protect the right to life and from violence in family.

The Istanbul Convention is recognized in the world as a legal instrument for the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence, as well as for the protection of victims, and the criminal prosecution of perpetrators is regarded as the basis of the convention.

The Convention, among other things, states that it is the state’s obligation to fully address violence in all its forms and to take measures to prevent violence against women, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators.