Prishtina, September 3, 2026 – The Ombudsperson has published the Annual Report on the Implementation of the Law on Protection from Discrimination for 2025, which reflects the state of protection from discrimination in the Republic of Kosovo and the challenges in the implementation of the relevant legislation.

The report assesses that Kosovo has an advanced legal framework and to a considerable extent harmonized with European and international standards, but the main challenge remains its effective and sustainable implementation in practice.

During 2025, the Ombudsperson has identified cases of discrimination and unequal treatment in various areas, including employment, access to public services, social protection, the rights of persons with disabilities, the rights of non-majority communities and gender equality.

One of the main concerns highlighted in the report is the low level of implementation of the Law on Protection from Discrimination by public institutions. In a number of institutions, mechanisms for protection from discrimination have not been sufficiently functionalized, complete and standardized data on cases of discrimination are lacking, while legal obligations often remain at a formal level.

The report also highlights that obstacles to the realization of rights are not only related to individual actions, but in a number of cases also to the manner of implementation of legislation, policies and institutional practices. The lack of a unified system for recording and reporting cases of discrimination makes it difficult to create a complete picture of the situation in the country.

This is the third consecutive year that the Ombudsman has presented a special report to the Assembly on the implementation of the Law on Protection from Discrimination. However, the two previous reports have not yet been reviewed by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, limiting the institutional debate and the possibility of addressing the Ombudsman’s recommendations through concrete measures.

The Ombudsman emphasizes that the report should serve as a call for action and institutional responsibility, with the aim of strengthening mechanisms for protection from discrimination, increasing accountability and ensuring effective implementation of legislation.

Protection from discrimination and respect for the principle of equality are constitutional and legal obligations and at the same time prerequisites for a democratic, inclusive and just society.

Read full report -> https://shorturl.at/rY779