Ousman lecture from Kurt for the veil: Prague 16 Years Requires Conditional Change

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has said that changing the Constitution would be required if the government intends to bring down to 16 years the threshold for allowing headscarves in schools.

Asked by T7 On this issue, Osmani said the Constitution has established a fundamental principle that is fundamental, on which the judicial system is built, and that is the principle of secularism.

“in the first place let me state that the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo must be, continues to be the primary orientation of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo on any issue involving fundamental human freedoms and rights. This constitution has established a fundamental principle that is the fundamental principle on which our constitutional system is built and that is the principle of secularism. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that in the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo this principle be respected”.

If the headscarf case relates to vote rights, Osmani said that then this “would require a change of constitution, because, as you know, this threshold is defined with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo”.

The second question that this constitution has clearly defined is the obligation of all public institutions of the Republic of Kosovo to respect the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, as standards through which any issues involving freedoms and human rights are resolved. And the third issue I want to state is that, unlike many constitutions around the world that don't allow the individual the right to submit a human freedom and rights case to the Constitutional Court, we have this option of”, Osmani said.

Thus, if someone thinks any rights are being violated, Osman recalled that “contained legal, administrative, and constitutional ways to address this issue in all of these institutions to the Constitutional Court”.

“As the country's president will continue to demand that the principles upon which not only our Constitution is built but also our society as a progressive society, as a society that views Euro-Atlantic principles and values as fundamentals, said she.

Following a tough campaign on the internet, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said he thinks the 16-year threshold is the right one for allowing headscarves in schools.