On December 3, Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) – in joint cooperation with the Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED) and Artpolis – held a Policy Discussion with the purpose of launching a research report entitled: “Accessing Justice for Victims of Gender Based Violence in Kosovo: Ending Impunity for Perpetrators”, held at the National Library of Kosovo. This Policy Report analyses access to justice processes for victims of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and harassment and violent crimes against the LGBT community. The analysis scrutinises existing laws and policies as well as their practical implementation. The analysis is conducted by referring to international human rights standards, most notably the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention). The report concretely identifies deficiencies in the current legal framework as well as its practical implementation. It illustrates legal and institutional deficiencies faced by victims of gender-based violence and their access to justice. The report further provides concrete recommendations as how to overcome these deficiencies and strengthen justice delivery for victims of gender-based violence.

The report is part of series of publications foreseen under the project “Protecting and Promoting Human Rights in Kosovo through active civil society” under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, implemented by Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED), Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) and Artpolis. The project aims to improve the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Kosovo by engaging actively civil society in monitoring and increasing public pressure on human rights judicial and non-judicial structures in delivering on their human rights mandate. The launching event gathered the main stakeholders on human rights in Kosovo to jointly discuss the main findings and recommendations of the publication.

Panel:

Dr. Annette Ms. Fath-Lihic – EUSR Chief Political Adviser/Executive Coordinator, European Union Office in Kosovo – EU Special Representative

Mr. Hilmi Jashari – Ombudsperson of the Republic of Kosovo

Ms. Albulena Haxhiu – Chairperson of the Committee on Legislation, Kosovo Assembly

Ms. Igballe Rogova – Executive Director at the Kosovo Women’s Network

Ms. Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, – Programme Director at KIPRED

Ms. Njomza Arifi – Programme Manager, Group for Legal and Political Studies

Venue: National Library, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo