A roundtable discussion on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day
10/12/2025
Pristina, December 10th, 2025 – On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, the Ombudsperson’s Institution (OI) together with the Forum for Dialogue between the OI and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), organized a roundtable discussion.
The Ombudsperson, Mr. Naim Qelaj, emphasized the importance of this day to remember that the protection of human rights should be the focus of everyone without exception. He said that the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has a special significance and symbolism that has marked a turning point for the benefit of humanity.
The report “Mental Health of Older Persons: The State’s Obligation for Care, Protection and Dignity and the Role of the Ombudsperson” was also presented at this roundtable.
The Ombudsperson stressed that Kosovar society continues to face challenges and problems regarding mental health, and in particular the health of senior citizens. He said that mental health problems affecting these elderly people should have a greater institutional focus.
He added that these problems do not result from the negligence of competent institutions, but that obstacles continue to be in the creation of appropriate policies and programs for the treatment of mental health problems for the elderly.
The report revealed findings, which, among other things, highlighted the lack of an age limit of up to 65 years as a criterion for admission to residential institutions, which constitutes a violation of the legal provisions of the Law on Social and Family Services and the Law on Protection from Discrimination.
The Ombudsperson also found that the lack of secondary legislation to the Law on Mental Health challenges the implementation of the law and creates space for discriminatory practices in the provision of mental health services regarding the age limit for persons over 65 years of age.
Representatives of local and international institutions, leaders of health services and representatives of civil society participated in this roundtable.