The Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo* has published its annual report for the year 2020 as the fulfillment of the constitutional liability of submitting an Annual Report to the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo*. The Ombudsperson has stood strongly on his constitutional role in fulfilling the mandate entrusted to him with regard to protection, supervision and promotion of human rights as well as strengthening of principles on which the democracy of the Republic of Kosovo* is built.
This year, reporting is being done in a situation of crisis due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Measures of restriction undertaken to prevent the threat to public health have placed in the core of attention the importance that respect for human rights has even in times of crisis.
The Report reflects the situation on human rights in the Republic of Kosovo* as well as it reveals the Ombudsperson’s work in overseeing, protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Report aims to draw attention of the institutions so that the respect for human rights is not left on the mercy of free political actions, but through executive and legal instruments to ensure their respect and enforcement. Particular attention is given on strengthening of mechanisms which guarantee system’s independence from the impact of changes in governance and political processes.
The Ombudsperson’s findings and recommendations addressed as well as presented in this Report serve as a guide for the orientation of policies for state functioning, pursuant to the principle of respect for human rights, equality, the rule of law, transparency, accountability, as values of democracy. The Ombudsperson will continue to fulfill his constitutional responsibility as a guardian of Kosovo* Republic citizens’ rights by paying special attention to vulnerable groups – women, the elderly people, those with disabilities, children, minority communities, the LGBTI community and citizens living in poverty.
Read here the full Annual Report 2020 of the Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo*.
Further, find here the Compilation of Reports Addressed to Relevant Authorities during 2020 and the Report of National Preventive Mechanism 2020.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.