Following the regional conference “Spaces and services to protect LGBTI communities” organised in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 5-7 November 2024, Dylberizm, the first platform dedicated to information and education on LGBTI matters, hosted an event titled "Raising awareness of LGBTI violence and support services in Kosovo*", building on past events in Priština and Podgorica to strengthen regional collaboration. Gathering activists, representatives from institutions, international organisations and local civil society organisations, the event aimed to shed light on the violence faced by LGBTI individuals in Kosovo, and the negative impact that the continuing absence of a dedicated shelter has for the community, especially for young victims of domestic violence based on their gender identity and sexual orientation.
A public discussion was held on the establishment of a shelter for LGBTI individuals experiencing domestic violence in Kosovo, emphasizing the urgent need to create a safe space for LGBTI community members who are victims of domestic violence. Highlighting that community centres, counselling services, and shelters are essential for everyone, but they may be life-saving services for people facing rejection, isolation and discrimination, Mary-Ann Hennessey, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Pristina, reiterated: “Strong partnerships and solidarity between civil society and state institutions are crucial to safeguarding high standards for human rights protection and equality. International actors, like the Council of Europe, can contribute to this solidarity by maintaining high expectations of both national and local authorities. The Municipality of Pristina needs to make suitable premises available for a safe shelter for the LGBTIQ+ community,” adding that “words and promises do not put a roof over anyone’s head or give someone a bed to sleep in - actions do.”
Nazlie Bala, political advisor at the Ministry of Justice, emphasised that the budget for shelters has increased and efforts to establish one will continue. In addition, the Director of CEL Kosovo, Blert Morina, said that LGBTI individuals who are victims of domestic violence are unable to report such cases without a shelter being available.
Representatives from shelters in Albania and Montenegro also took part in the debate. Adelajda Alikaj from the shelter in Tirana and Ivana Kostovska from the ‘Safe House' shelter in Skopje, shared their experiences of building and managing shelters. The discussion emphasised the urgent need for a shelter dedicated to the LGBTI community in Kosovo, as statistics reveal that many individuals from these communities often face homelessness and lack a safe place to live.
This initiative was organised as part of the initiative “Combating discrimination and hatred”," implemented within the joint European Union and Council of Europe joint programme "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence".
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