On 29 March the Council of Europe launched a new project aiming to combat violence against women and domestic violence. The launching conference was attended by more than 80 participants, including representatives of the local authorities, law enforcement agencies, embassies, local civil society, and international organisations.
Mr. Frank Power, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Pristina emphasised that the high attendance rate reflects a shared commitment to work together to tackle domestic violence and violence against women, in all its forms.
Prime-Minister Albin Kurti stated that “Obligations stemming from the Istanbul Convention require multi-agency cooperation with an intersectoral approach in prevention, protection, and adequate prosecution of cases of violence against women and domestic violence”.
Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu emphasised that women and girls are often victims of various forms of violence, some of which are often difficult to identify such as: psychological violence, forced marriage, stalking, sexual violence including rape, sexual harassment, abortion or forced sterilisation. As required by the Istanbul Convention, all forms of violence should be criminalised.
Ms. Claudia Luciani, Director of Human Dignity, Equality and Governance of the Council of Europe emphasised the importance of providing a holistic approach to violence against women and domestic violence cases based on the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Integrated Policies. Ms. Luciani highlighted the fact that “we need to move beyond the perception that violence against women is a women’s issues only”.
Judge Drita Rexhaj, member of the Kosovo Judicial Council, listed some of the recent developments undertaken in the judicial system in order to provide an adequate response to domestic violence cases, such as the appointment in all courts of coordinators, who are judges specialised on cases of domestic violence, and numerous guidelines and regulations on domestic violence cases.
The Council of Europe project “Aligning laws and policies with the Istanbul Convention (2023-2026)” aims at strengthening the institutional capacities to prevent and counter violence against women and domestic violence in line with the standards of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). It aims to address the most urgent recommendations identified in the assessment report published in November 2022.
Previous project "Reinforcing the fight against violence against women and domestic violence in Kosovo* (phase III)"
* All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
