The Ombudsperson of Kosovo is an independent institution mandated to review cases of human rights violations or abuse of authority by public bodies. The Ombudsperson can accept and investigate complaints, free of charge, from any person in Kosovo who believes that his/her rights have been violated by any public institution in Kosovo. The institution carries out investigations, publishes reports and offers legal services and public advocacy. It also monitors policies approved by public institutions in order to ensure that they are in line with standards of human rights and good governance. In cases where the Ombudsperson deems a case has a considerable impact on a person, a group or all citizens of Kosovo and concerns international human rights standards, it can publish a special report including recommendations for the government. It is also able to investigate independently of any personal complaint when it deems a human rights violation has taken place. If such a violation is found, the Ombudsperson will try to find solutions through different channels; it can, for example, mediate between the victims and public institutions, recommend actions to public institutions, publish reports and voice its concerns in the media.

Every municipality in Kosovo has a Municipal Office for Communities and Return (MOCR). These offices are mandated to “protect and promote the rights of communities, the equal access of all communities to public services and the creation of conditions for sustainable return of refugees, displaced persons and repatriated persons”. Consequently, they carry the responsibility of assisting returnees/repatriates and members of minority communities.

The respect and protection of minorities is enshrined in both European and international law. Both the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Art. 2) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Art. 27), two basic texts on international human rights, mention the right to one’s cultural, religious and linguistic identity, free from discrimination.

At the European level, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (Art. 22) also includes a provision to respect cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.

Click on the links below to learn more about other legal instrument relating to essential minority rights:

Since its independance Kosovo has adopted a wide variety of legislation that ensure and protect the rights of all communities.

Click on the following links to learn more about the legal framework in Kosovo relating to the communities:

o promote awareness of the 15 November 2009 Municipal Elections ECMI Kosovo developed a voter education campaign targeting the Serb and Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in the 3+1 new municipalities where elections were organised: Novo Brdo/Novobërdë, Gracanica/Graçanicë, Klokot- Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc and Ranilug/Ranillug. The activities included face to face meetings with community representatives, the organisation of round tables, the development of printed materials (i.e. leaflets, flyers and posters), the organisation of a press conference and the broadcasting of radio clips. ECMI Kosovo and its field officers coordinated all their activities closely with the CEC, ICO and Municipal Preparation Teams.

The European Centre for Minority Issues Kosovo (ECMI Kosovo) is currently engaged in a decentralisation project aimed at increasing the awareness of communities on decentralisation and furthering their involvement in this process, financed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. During June and July 2009 ECMI Kosovo has focussed its activities on women living in the new municipalities south of the Ibar river. It organised eight round table and two focus group discussions.