Justice disappoints women, 1548 cases of violence in 9 months in Kosovo

According to data by the Chief State Prosecutor, for nine months of 2021, 1,548 cases of violence have been recorded in Kosovo, of which 1,396 have been recorded as domestic violence.

In 445 cases, reportedly, there have been requests for protecting the victims of domestic violence, while in 36 cases emergency defence warrants have been issued.

Adelina Berisha, programme manager against gender-based violence in the Kosovo Women's Network, tells Free Europe Radio that, the failure to file cases properly, is leading to increased cases of violence against women.

Police often assume the role of mediator and tend to blame the victim. We have a lack of investigation in the D.A. and often they don't know how to do the investigation properly, which would lead to the solution. From the courts we often have decisions which are ridiculously related to the hard work that agents of violence have caused”, Berisha said.

Berisha has shown that women and girls, or other individuals who head to competent authorities, face great difficulties.

“Even though it is not in the mandate of many police officials, nor other officials from social work centres, they tend to make reconciliation between couples even when there are severe forms of violence, or when violence is among unknown persons, they still try to minimize violence and in some form the focus is on the reconciliation of the victims and their re-traumatisation, rather than the evidence and fraud of violence brought to justice”, Berisha said.

Nazife Jonuzi, director of the Centre for Protection and the rehabilitation of Women and Children “Liberty”, considers that the penalties that the rapists receive are very low and that according to her, this is one of the factors that have increased the number of cases.

“Reintegration is one of the biggest challenges. What after the shelter? Where do women go? It is very painful that 80 percent of women return to violence again because of reintegration, rent payments, lack of employment. We know that employment is a major concern for both men and women, but these cases are more inaccompatible. Reintegration is not only the securing of a rent, but social residences remain short”, she said.

Jonuzi says there are still large in Kosovo, and that, according to her, public reports differ greatly from the actual situation on the ground.

And that's the stigma, the prejudice that women should shut up, stay at home, and avoid denouncing violence. The inequities in the family are still very large”, she said.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has said on Monday, October 25th, at the conference organised by the Chief State Prosecutor, titled “Java for the Rights of Crime Victims”, that violence against women has become a challenge, not only for institutions, but also for Kosovo society in general.

“Crime agents must be punished, while victims must be rehabilitated to encourage and support”, Osmani said.

She added that positive changes are achieved by working on law enforcement, and that, according to her, crime's impunity requires zero tolerance.

And State Chief Prosecutor Alexander Lumezi said efforts by the prosecutorial system are continuing in preventing crime.

However, he added, authorities are aware that work and commitment must still be done by justice institutions to prevent violations, mistreatment and murder.

“These issues should be addressed with priority during the daily work of prosecutors, investigative policemen and other justice system employees. Therefore, our commitment should be in the stricter co-ordination and co-operation between the law-institutions, so that at no moment there should be neglect in pursuing and punishing those who violate the rights, fundamental freedoms and other values guaranteed by the constitution and international conventions”, Lumez said.

“There is no life to lose”

Minister of Justice in Kosovo Albulen Haxhiu has on Monday invited all keepers of the justice system to take responsibility for, as she said, facing those cases.

It calls on police, prosecutors and judges to carry out their duties to protect the lives of girls and women. We don't have life to lose. Violence against women is not a private matter, that is what everyone should know. Therefore, as such it cannot remain as isolated within the walls of house”, Haxhiu said, and stressed that the growing number of violence against women and children is disturbing.

From January this year, until June, two women were killed, and seven women were killed in 2020.

Authorities in Kosovo have pronounced various fines for domestic violence, including parole, fine or effective punishment.

If you need to report domestic violence, these are the numbers that are available:

Kosovo Police: 192 and 0800 1999

Victims' advocates: 08001112