Pristina, June 27, 2024 – People’s Advocate Naim Qelaj hosted the leaders and representatives of international organizations in the country with whom he discussed the state of human rights and the need for coordination of activities in order to advance human rights and freedoms in Kosovo. .

Mr. Qelaj emphasized that based on the investigated cases, citizens continue to face prolonged delays in court procedures and non-response to requests from public authorities.

He further emphasized that the lack of social dialogue, the malfunctioning of the legal mechanisms that enable this dialogue, as well as the lack of reaching a general collective contract – violate, limit and make it difficult to realize the rights of workers.

Regarding gender equality, Mr. Qelaj underlined that from the data of the Kosovo Police, they show an increase in reported cases of domestic violence and violence against women, which continues to be a concern and a lot of work must be done to prevent these cases through early education and other measures , including the empowerment of women, their economic independence and the right to property.

He added that the reforms for the rule of law and the justice system are not continuing to be the result of a rational discussion and based on the many analyzes that have been carried out in this sector. “One-sided actions are observed that can also be considered as tendencies of interference and violation of the independence of independent constitutional institutions and interference in the separate systems of power”, said Mr. Go ahead.

He said that the vote against the Ombudsman’s Report for 2022, by the Assembly of Kosovo in the session held on May 23, 2024, was used as a tool to attack the independence of the IAP. He added that this vote against did not come as a result of any ambiguities, remarks, criticisms, deficiencies or any issues that may have been raised for discussion.

“On the contrary, there was a consensus in the parliamentary commission for human rights, which unanimously recommended the approval of the report to the Assembly. The same deputies, in the session of May 23, voted against the report, while some did not stay in the assembly hall,” he said.

Then Mr. Qelaj emphasized that with the non-membership of Kosovo in the Council of Europe, it has mostly harmed the citizens, and believes that coordination and cooperation of all actors is needed so that in the future this process is in favor of membership.

Regarding the rights of non-majority communities, he emphasized that the exercise of rights is at the will of the subject who enjoys these rights, but when there is collective rejection, as is currently happening by members of the Serbian community with the abandonment of institutions, there is an urgent need to establish dialogue and communication with citizens to achieve a balance and overcome such situations.

Leaders and representatives of international organizations emphasized the importance of the independence of independent institutions, which should freely exercise their mandate and work without interference in their work.

The head of the EU office in Kosovo, Mr. Tomas Szunyog said that this office will continue to cooperate closely with the People’s Advocate Institution, supporting the independence and activities of the IAP.

Likewise, the head of EULEX, Mr. Giovanni Pietro Barbano, said that the mission will support the work and activities of the People’s Advocate related to the improvement of human rights, as well as in the field of justice and the rule of law.

Tankut Soykan, deputy head of the Office of the Council of Europe in Pristina, mentioned the past and current projects that are being done with the IAP, and will continue to support the institution in the anti-discrimination project.

The revised strategy 2021-2025 and the action plan 2024-2025 was presented by the deputy ombudsman, Mrs. Anita Çavdarbasha Korenica, in order to coordinate activities but also to prevent duplication of projects.

Participants gave their feedback on current projects they have. From this table, it was concluded for a next meeting to examine the activities and work in more detail.