Minority communities in municipalities face environmental problems, gender inequality, lack of decision-making, lack of social policies and non-respect of their language. These are some of the problems that have been identified after the meetings that the Ombudsperson Institution has held in several municipalities of Kosovo, regarding the state of human rights and fundamental freedoms, with special emphasis on the rights of communities.

Ombudsperson, Naim Qelaj said that from the meetings with the citizens, they encountered a number of problems that they have. He listed as problems the lack of social policies, access to public spaces for persons with disabilities, as well as the collective contract.

Despite the appeals, Qelaj said that nothing has been done about the law on the financing of local government.

The acting head of the OSCE mission in Kosovo, Cornelia Taylor, said that these meetings with the citizens have informed them more about the mandate of the Ombudsperson.

According to her, the dialogue between the Ombudsperson Institution and the people is vital.

Meanwhile, Nenad Rashiq, Minister for Communities and Return, said that there is no lack of communication between the local and central level, adding that the local level does not have the capacity to deal with social problems.

While speaking about the strategy for the inclusion of minorities in institutions, Rashiq said that this would be a mechanism that would ensure a greater percentage of them in institutions.

Meral Tejeci-Çela, Senior Legal Adviser at the Ombudsperson Institution, said that environmental problems, the use of language and gender inequality are some of the problems identified by the meetings held.

The meetings of the Ombudsperson with the citizens were facilitated by the OSCE Mission and were held in Graçanica, Rahovec, Klina, Dragash, Mamusha, Letnica and Shtërpca. /B.Ibishi/