Kosovo
Republic.
Area (km²): 10 902
Population (2008): 2,1 million
Capital: Pristina
Language: Albanian and Serbian
BNP/capita in US dollar (2008): 1 800
Source: Utrikespolitiska Institutet
News
-
2010-06-01: Author of report attacked in media
The daily Express tries to blot our report on freedom of expression by drawing parallels between the life of the author of the report and the report itself. Together with a number of organisations we demand an end to the attempts to silence free speech in Kosovo.
-
2010-05-25: Freedom of expression is strongly limited in Kosovo
Together with YIHR in Kosovo we released a report which scrutinizes parts of Kosovo governance structures. Robert Hårdh, Executive Director of Civil Rights Defenders, attended the presentation of the report in Pristina.
-
2009-12-23: Decent housing for Kolonia settlers
One of the most significant achievements for Civil Rights Defenders in 2009 is our contribution to resolving the housing situation for one of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in the region of Gjakova, Kosovo.
-
2009-06-12: Increased threats against journalists since the independence
Independent journalists are exposed to increased threats and pressure since Kosovo declared itself independent in February 2008, according to partner organisations to the Swedish Helsinki Committee in the country. The latest in a series of examples is the assault on well known journalist Jeta Xharra. It is with concern that the Swedish Helsinki Committee notices [...]
-
Fighting corruption – in cooperation with the Organisation for Democracy, Anticorruption and Dignity
Our cooperation with COHU!, the Organisation for Democracy, Anticorruption and Dignity, aims at influencing the law-making process in the field of anti-corruption. The fight against political corruption is carried out by identifying structures that make mismanagement and abuse of public office and funds possible.
-
Providing access to basic human rights – in cooperation with Civil Rights Program/ Kosovo
The purpose of our cooperation with Civil Rights Program/Kosovo is to provide free legal aid to vulnerable residents either from the majority community or one of the minorities, either living in Kosovo or as refugees in one of the neighbouring countries. The main target group however is individuals that lack personal identification documents.
-
Monitoring detention centres and mental health facilities – in cooperation with Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims
Public administration has the power to deprive people of their liberty following procedures clearly established by the law. But when detention takes place outside the public scrutiny it opens the door to violations of rights of the inmates, as well as to torture and ill-treatment. We initiated cooperation with Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims in 2007, with the aim to monitor detention facilities and prisons.
-
Fighting impunity and restoring dignity of victims – in cooperation with Humanitarian Law Centre
We cooperate with the Kosovo office of Humanitarian Law Centre in documenting facts about the conflicts in the recent past. Our aim is to build a comprehensive record of the killed and missing during the 1998-1999 armed conflict and the period of revenge killings against non-Albanians and suspected collaborators with the Serbian authorities in Kosovo between June 1999 and the end of 2000.
-
Strengthening freedom of expression – in cooperation with Kosovo Press Council
By supporting the Press Council we contribute to ensuring the quality of media and to strengthening freedom of expression in Kosovo. Furthermore, our focus is to make the Kosovo public better aware of the Press Council’s existence and role, and to ensure the future sustainability of the Press Council.
-
Reporting on Freedom of Expression – in cooperation with Youth Initiative for Human Rights
In Kosovo the situation for media and individual journalists has worsened. In cooperation with YIHR we decided to produce a comprehensive report on Freedom of Expression, with a particular focus on media freedom and on documented statements from journalists who have been subjected to threats and pressure.
-
Providing high quality news – in cooperation with Kosovo Media Association
We cooperate with Kosovo Media Association to provide professional, balanced and unbiased news primarily to the Serbian population in Kosovo. The network reaches almost the entire Serbian community, as well as the Albanian population, in Kosovo.