OSCE Mission in Kosovo regrets failure of Assembly to appoint Ombudsperson

PRISHTINE/PRISTINA, 12 February 2009 - The head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Werner Almhofer, said he regretted that the Assembly of Kosovo failed again today to appoint an Ombudsperson.

The Kosovo Assembly has been responsible for appointing the Ombudsperson since January 2006.

"I urge the Assembly of Kosovo to fulfil its obligation to appoint an Ombudsperson and in this way ensure the protection of human rights of all communities of Kosovo," Almhofer said.

"It is not sufficient to have an Ombudsperson on acting basis for more than three years. The Assembly of Kosovo needs to empower this important independent institution. The people in Kosovo need their advocate."

The Ombudsperson Institution in Kosovo has the mandate to address alleged human rights violations and abuses of authority by public institutions. It also conducts investigations, issues reports and provides legal services and public advocacy.