Szunyog: Violence against women, a sad reality in Kosovo

Justice Minister Albulen Haxhiu has welcomed launching the online platform for free legal assistance, while saying how the ministry is finalising the strategy against domestic violence.

Haxhiu said this strategy is expected to be finalised under “16 days of activism against violence on gender base”.

“We are in conclusion of the national strategy against domestic violence and that one of the documents that has been drafted by the Ministry of Justice has a large contribution to civil society, but it is the document that has mostly had comments and proposals on it. I welcome every comment and address in this strategy to be finalised under the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, which envisions more than 100 activities. The idea of these activities is to dissiliate public opinion in relation to prevention, address and report domestic violence, and seek accountability and responsibility from institutions that are obligated to protect women's lives and prevent this negative phenomenon that is jeopardising our” society, she said.

The chief of the EU Office in Kosovo, Thomas Szunyog, has considered this platform an important initiative, saying that access to rights and recognition of rights is one of the first aspects to be able to seek justice. He said domestic violence is a sad reality in Kosovo.

“After all existing efforts, domestic violence and other forms of violence against women are still a sad reality in Kosovo. We just have to keep fighting this war. To increase the capacity of these service providers and ensure equal and quality access to services for all... ...I can't wait to see how the platform will help spread free legal counsel in practice, how lawyers and victims can use it, and how it will become essential for victims”, he said.

Urika Richardson, UN development co-ordinator, has welcomed the work Kosovo institutions are doing in front of the strategy against domestic violence.

“The amount in justice must be blind, justice should not be dependent on the size of your pocket size of how much you can give everyone should have the same approach. So we know that nowhere else in the world is exactly what we would like, especially for marginalized or vulnerable groups, there is no complete right and it is not something they can have. We as a United Nations family welcome the launch of this platform that offers these services to women living in remote villages with special needs, minorities, non-Albanians... We're going to do our maximum job in creating an environment as secure for women and girls, so they don't fear such violence. We know that in Kosovo, with pandemic unfortunately, the situation has deteriorated with cases of domestic violence to a large extent”, she said.

The executive director of the Kosovo Institute for Justice, Ehat Miftaraj, said that in the past two years they have offered free legal advice for more than 2,000 cases.

“Option of assistance and judicial advice through this platform ensures that this platform is efficient and effective, providing and facilitating access to justice for each woman in Kosovo, which may be subject to domestic violence or gender-based violence. The platform also ensures the preservation of privacy and dignity of parties seeking help... The IKD staff in the past two years have offered more than 2,000 cases of free legal advice where 40% are for women, and 25% has been for non-most communities in Kosovo”, he said.

Only this year in Kosovo have over 1,060 cases of domestic violence against women reported. Kosovo, Europe's newest state, has only integrated the protection of victims in its legislation for two years. Formation of laws is a relatively quick and easy company, but changing behavior, creating awareness is a long process that requires the authorities' full support.