Pristina, June 25, 2024 – The Ombudsman’s Institution organized a round table discussion regarding the protection of children from sexual harassment, as victims of criminal offenses against life and body, and criminal offenses against sexual integrity with a focus on rape, sexual assault and abuse of children in porn.

The purpose of this table was to improve actions and institutional response in the prevention and protection of children.

People’s Advocate, Mr. Naim Qelaj expressed his concern about the recent reported cases of sexual exploitation and abuse of children in Kosovo. He said that these highlight the insecurity and danger in which children and especially girls live in Kosovo. This results in serious physical, psychological and social damage to children as well as constitutes a violation of the basic rights of children, defined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and the Law on Child Protection.

He added that treating children as sensitive victims requires full institutional commitment to respect their rights.

Representatives of state institutions and representatives from non-governmental organizations that deal with the protection of children’s rights took part in the round table. The participants shared their experiences, challenges and expressed their commitment to improve inter-institutional cooperation in the prevention and protection of children from sexual exploitation and abuse as criminal offenses against sexual integrity.