Democracy possible only if human rights assured for all, says Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo
PRISHTINE/PRISTINA, 9 December 2008 - The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Werner Almhofer, issued the following statement today to mark International Human Rights Day on 10 December:
"Tomorrow the world celebrates International Human Rights Day and the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this occasion, I would like to call on all people living in Kosovo to reflect on how the values and principles of the declaration have improved the lives of many.
"In a post-conflict society, respect for human rights and the rule of law are essential for economic, social and political development. Promotion of the rights of communities and respect between different groups are indicators of development and progress. Everyone must be treated equally regardless of gender, ethnic origin, or religious or cultural background. It is important that all communities have equal access to justice, education and healthcare
"Kosovo has shown commitment to respecting human rights, and I have observed substantial legislative activity and concluded that the laws generally meet international human rights standards. However, proper implementation is still hampered by various factors, such as scarce financial and human resources, administrative shortcomings and sometimes lack of timely political initiative.
"The protection of human rights requires a functioning judicial system as well as an effective and independent police that adheres to human rights standards. There is still a need to further improve the professionalism of courts and the police, and to address shortcomings in prosecuting cases related to gender issues, domestic violence, social care and corruption.
"One of the main human rights concerns in Kosovo today is trafficking in human beings. Trafficking is a modern form of slavery and unfortunately this is still a large problem in the region. In 2008, the OSCE Mission ran several public information campaigns to break the silence around this problem and trained authorities directly involved in fighting trafficking.
"Finally, no democratic society can function without a people's representative, an Ombudsperson, to hear their complaints about the authorities. Unfortunately, so far the Assembly of Kosovo has not been able to appoint an Ombudsperson. I would like to stress once again the importance of a transparent procedure to appoint this office and make sure the institution functions independently and professionally.
"The OSCE Mission in Kosovo will continue to work for further improvements in the protection of human rights. We will continue to provide advice and expertise to identify shortcomings and we will work together to tackle them. It is not possible to achieve a democratic society without ensuring human rights for all."