OSCE Mission, Office of Good Governance launch new Strategy for Advancing Rights of Roma and Ashkali Communities in Kosovo

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo supported the Office of Good Governance in presenting on 19 September 2022 the new Strategy for Advancing the Rights of the Roma and Ashkali Communities.

The Strategy 2022-2026 focuses on five priority areas: education, employment and social welfare, health, housing and discrimination. It provides a new opportunity to safeguard the rights of Roma and Ashkali communities in Kosovo and ensure equal treatment without discrimination.

“This Strategy and its accompanying Action Plan for 2022-2024 show the government’s firm commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable communities in Kosovo society,” said Ambassador Michael Davenport at the launch event . 

“The Strategy is a guiding document which will help not only government, but also municipalities, civil society organisations and the media to play their part in advancing community rights, combating discrimination and creating opportunities, especially for women and youth. Everyone can play their part in ensuring effective implementation.”

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo has also provided its expertise in the drafting process, focusing on the local level component of the Strategy. The Mission organized 25 meetings with 30 municipal-level interlocutors from 20 municipalities, 10 regional workshops with 22 municipalities with 114 persons participating in the consultative process, with participation of representatives from municipal level institutions, community leaders and civil society.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with the protection and promotion of human and community rights, as well as with democratization and public safety sector development.