Within the scope of 16 Days of Activism, on 3 December, at the National Library in Prishtina, the Kosovo Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED), the Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) and the Art and Community Center Artpolis, published the research report Accessing Justice for Victims of Gender-Based Violence in Kosovo: Ending Impunity for Perpetrators, in which took part the key representatives of judicial and non-judicial institutions for human rights in Kosovo. The Media were also invited to participate in the launch event.
The report analyzes access to justice processes for victims of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, sexual assaults and harassment, as well as violent crimes against the LGBT community. The report analyzes existing laws and policies, as well as their practical implementation. The analysis is conducted with reference to the requirements of international human rights standards, in particular the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention). The report specifically identifies the shortcomings in the current legal framework and its practical implementation. It illustrates the serious legal and institutional difficulties faced by victims of gender-based violence when trying to seek justice. The report also provides concrete recommendations.
The panellists Annette M. Fath-Lihic, Political Adviser / Executive Coordinator / European Union Office in Kosovo, Hilmi Jashari, Ombudsperson, Igballe Rogova, Kosovo Women’s Network and Albulena Haxhiu, Chairwoman of the Committee on Legislation, followed by Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, Program Director, KIPRED made the presentation of key findings and recommendations. Among other things, the panellists called upon Kosovo institutions to take urgent steps to implement the recommendations arising from this, by highlighting the poor access to justice for victims of gender-based violence.
You can read the full report by clicking here: Accessing Justice for Victims of Gender-Based Violence in Kosovo: Ending Impunity for Perpetrators.
