OSCE Mission in Kosovo supports seminar to highlight role of civil service oversight board

PRISTINE/PRISTINA, 2 September 2010 - Sustainable and independent bodies for overseeing civil service are crucial for the strengthening of Kosovo's institutions and for human rights protection, said participants in an OSCE-supported seminar that started in Mitrovice/Mitrovica today.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo supports the organization of a series of 11 public information seminars across Kosovo to inform municipal civil servants and civil society representatives about the rights of civil servants and the role of the Independent Oversight Board for Civil Service of Kosovo.

Caroline Law, Programme Officer from the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, addressing the seminar today, stressed the need for more co-operation between independent bodies and government institutions.

"The OSCE Mission in Kosovo seeks to strengthen the independent oversight bodies, which are a cornerstone of democracy, and help them exercise their role. By supporting these information seminars, we help raise the professionalism of the Independent Oversight Board's staff and the quality of its reporting, to the benefit of the people," Law said.

Board Chairperson Mehdi Geci, said it was crucial for the institution to maintain its independence, ensure proper implementation of its decisions and to inform the public about its work.

"The main challenge we face is the non-execution of our decisions by employment authorities despite the fact that they are obliged by law to do so," Geci said. "These seminars will raise the profile of the institute, increase awareness about the institution's mandate and help us strengthen co-operation with other independent institutions as well as with Assembly of Kosovo committees. This will help make the Board more effective."

The organization of the seminars is part of an OSCE project to support the Oversight Board by assisting the institution to maintain its functional and financial independence. The project will conclude on 16 December with a round-table meeting in Prishtine/Pristina.