Ombudsman

Mr. Naim Qelaj accomplished his studies at the Faculty of Law of Prishtina University in 1998. He passed the Bar Exam in 2006. Naim Qelaj by profession is a lawyer and for a long period of time has practiced this profession in Prizren.

Within the period 2001-2005, he worked as a lawyer in the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF), in free legal aid Project, in the course of which he represented and provided legal services to all communities living in the Republic of Kosovo regardless their gender, race or ethnicity.

During 2006-2017 period in the capacity of an attorney he has represented sensitive issues both with regard to the nature as well as the parties whom he represented, pointing out cases which he defended from discriminatory deeds. He has raised his voice soundly against gender inequality, which continues to be present in our country as a result of our historical past and which is manifested by denial of women’s rights.

Mr. Qelaj was National Coordinator against Domestic Violence for two years, during his mandate as Deputy Minister of Justice (2018-2020), in the course of which he has managed to push forward and strengthen institutions’ role in an endeavor to eliminate any form of discrimination and inequality in the treatment of victims of violence. Having been engaged in setting standards and inter-institutional cooperation as well as cooperation with local and international organizations and agencies, these achievements have been evaluated also as Kosovo’s achievements and accomplishments in 2019 Progress Report.

During this period Mr. Qelaj has conducted and supervised the project for the creation of an electronic system for domestic violence cases “Integrated Database for cases of domestic violence “. He has supported and contributed as a member of the group for drafting the Draft Law on Protection from Domestic Violence and has organized the conference “Access to Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence and Gender Based Violence” held in 2019 in Prishtina.

On 28 September 2020, Mr. Naim Qelaj has been elected for the post of Ombudsman, by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, for a five-year mandate.