Prishtina, 27 November 2024 – In the framework of the 16 days of activism against domestic violence and gender-based violence, the Ombudsperson together with the Center for Equality and Justice and the Women’s Association “Feminae”, organized a roundtable to discuss the achievements and challenges in the implementation of the Istanbul Convention.

The roundtable aimed to hold a discussion with representatives of public institutions, civil society, media representatives and citizens of the municipalities of Prizren, Suhareka and Mamusha, on the respect and protection of human rights with special emphasis on the protection of women’s rights and the fight against gender-based violence.

The Ombudsperson, Mr. Naim Qelaj said that close cooperation between state institutions, civil society and society in general is necessary to prevent violence against women and to reach a common position and opinion that violence against women is unacceptable and intolerable.

He said that he hopes that the Kosovo Police will soon put into operation the electronic surveillance of persons whose movement is restricted by a court decision and it would serve to protect victims of crime in general, with a focus on the protection of victims of domestic violence. Mr. Qelaj also spoke about the role of the judiciary and the prosecution, as well as the role of victim protectors, adding that the stronger these mechanisms are, the more domestic violence will be combated and prevented.

The Ombudsperson said that education, the media and civil society organizations also play a special role in combating domestic violence. He added that the Istanbul Convention requires the harmonization of the domestic legislative framework and the capacity building of institutions to ensure proper implementation in practice.

Representatives of the prosecution, police, public university, media and civil society organizations spoke about their work and challenges in dealing with cases of domestic violence and gender-based violence.

Participants were also informed about the competences and work of the Ombudsperson in the protection and promotion of fundamental human rights and freedoms.