Pristina, September 17, 2024 – People’s Advocate, Mr. Naim Qelaj hosted the head of mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kosovo (ICRC), Mr. Agim Gashi and Mrs. Marica Tamanini, defense delegate.

The People’s Advocate was informed about the activities of the ICRC, and in particular about the search for missing persons and the visits that this organization also made to the places where persons deprived of their liberty are kept.

The People’s Advocate said that the issue of missing persons continues to be a major problem for the country and that he understands the plight of families who seek to know the fate of their loved ones.

He said that last year he came out with a report related to transitional justice underlining the right of families to know about their family members who disappeared during the war in Kosovo.

The said report also offered recommendations for new policies and initiatives, as well as recommendations for improving the functioning of existing initiatives in the field of Transitional Justice, which would affect the greater realization of victims’ rights to justice and reparation. , as well as in realizing the right to know and guaranteeing non-repetition.

Mr. Qelaj emphasized that he will continue to support any institutional initiative that contributes to the fulfillment of the state’s obligations in relation to transitional justice mechanisms.

In the end, the Ombudsman offered readiness for cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross with a mission in Kosovo that will contribute to the improvement of human rights.