Prishtina, 8 April 2025 – The Ombudsperson, Mr. Naim Qelaj, has gathered representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo in order to discuss the commitments made by these institutions to fulfill the recommendations given by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) of the Council of Europe, following the visit carried out in October 2020.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Office for Good Governance, Kosovo Police, Kosovo Police Inspectorate, Kosovo Correctional Service, Prison Health Department, Prosecutorial Council, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Detention Center for Foreigners, Shtime Special Institute, civil society and representatives from the Council of Europe, EULEX and UNMIK.

The participants indicated that most of the recommendations of the CPT and the Ombudsperson’s Institution have been implemented and that some, in terms of conditions and infrastructure, are in the process of implementation.

The Ombudsperson said that the implementation of the recommendations is important because it affects the image of Kosovo and the assessment by international institutions of the progress that the country has achieved on the path of integration and the aim of membership in the Council of Europe and the European Union, which are related to the progress of respect for human rights.

The National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture within the Ombudsperson’s Institution has a mandate to conduct regular inspections in places where persons deprived of liberty are held, health and social care institutions.

The NPMT, in carrying out its legal functions, will cooperate closely with relevant institutions and civil society in order to carry out effective monitoring and ensure respect for human rights in correctional institutions, detention centers and psychiatric centers.