Protecting and Promoting Human Rights in Kosovo Through Active Civil Society
PROJECT TITLE:
Protecting and Promoting Human Rights in Kosovo Through Active Civil Society
OVERALL OBJECTIVE:
Overall, improve the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Kosovo. Specifically, improve the ability of the Ombudsperson to discharge its main function in order to ensure the promotion, protection and supervision of fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens from illegal actions or failures to act and improper actions of public authorities.
ESTIMATED RESULTS:
-Improved legal framework related to human rights and better implementation of the laws; -Tracking system of non-discrimination cases dealt with by the Ombudsperson Institution and monitoring of cases by judicial and non-judicial bodies ; -Improved oversight capability of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, Gender Equality, Missing Persons and Petitions, strengthened relations of the Committee with the Ombudsperson's Institution; -Increased capacities of judicial and non-judicial bodies to deliver on its mandates; -Improved knowledge of natural and legal persons concerning their rights guaranteed by the new human rights package 2015 through facilitation of access to the assistance provided by the Ombudsperson Institution and other related bodies (especially for the Kosovo’s youth, women and minorities).
LOCATION:
Kosovo
SECTOR:
Democracy and Human Rights
BENEFICIARIES:
Citizens of Kosovo; Civil society.
DURATION:
01/March/2017 - 31/July/2019
VALUE:
290,976.00 EUR; EU contribution: 276,427.20 EUR, or 95%.
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS:
Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED) Artpolis Association Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS).
TARGET GROUPS:
1) Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo (OI) 2) Kosovo Assembly and other key judicial and non-judicial human rights bodies 3) Citizens of Kosovo, in particular youth, women and minorities to increase their awareness on the human rights guaranteed in Kosovo and the role of OI.
MAIN ACTIVITIES:
-Legal analysis, monitoring of information and publication of related policy briefs and reports. Support to establishment of a tracking mechanism for discrimination cases dealt with by the OI and by other judicial and non-judicial bodies. -Awareness raising on the functions of the OI related to its human rights monitoring mandate and the rights protected under the new human rights law package. -Support Ombudsperson Institution in accordance to the needs identified jointly with the OI and other stakeholders. -Support to improve cooperation of the Ombudsperson Institution with the Kosovo Assembly and other relevant institutions.
PROJECT NEWS
“STIGMA – Claim your Right”
POSTED ON: 22 February 2019
PROJECT NAME: Protecting and Promoting Human Rights in Kosovo Through Active Civil Society
Sexual violence committed during the war in Kosovo continues to remain an open wound in the hearts of our society. It is a sensitive topic, that exemplifies human rights abuses and belated institutional response to those that are most in need. Survivors continue to face judgement, bias, shame, and until very ...
Sexual violence committed during the war in Kosovo continues to remain an open wound in the hearts of our society. It is a sensitive topic, that exemplifies human rights abuses and belated institutional response to those that are most in need. Survivors continue to face judgement, bias, shame, and until very recently, lack of institutional support.
Within the EU funded project “Promoting and Protecting Human Rights in Kosovo”, the forum theater play “Stigma: Claim Your Right” was delivered across the country. “Stigma” directly deals with this heartbreaking, collective trauma. The performance directly targets discrimination and bias towards survivors of sexual violence. However, the special feature of the Theatre Forum is the live interaction between actors and audience whereby the audience can ask questions throughout the performance, obtain new information, and challenge the (often discriminatory) views of the actors.
This play has challenged the current mentality and attitudes towards survivors of sexual violence, and managed to promote a revolting spirit, which was most noticeable during the live interactive discussions between the audience and actors. Among others, the play used its attention to raise awareness on the mandate and commitment of the Ombudsperson Institution by actively speaking about its mandate, focus, and responsibilities.
It was a performance that brought together institutional representatives, representatives from civil society, students and pupils and random citizens, all of whom believe in human rights and an equal society for all. Most importantly, following the screenings of the play, the Ombudsperson Institution began to receive requests and inquiries by survivors of sexual violence during the war, on state reparations and how to obtain them.
The play premiered in October 2017 in the Women’s Correctional Facility in Lipjan, where the play was offered in front of women prisoners who had the opportunity to discuss on human rights abuses and the role of the Ombudsperson. The play was then held 6 more times in 2017 throughout Kosovo, as well as 6 further times in 2018 due to popular demand.
Approximately 2000 people have already viewed the play and participated in its interactive discussions; 60% of all participants were women and girls, while 40% were men and young men. Ultimately, the play has achieved to challenge commonly held discriminatory and judgmental beliefs towards victims of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo.