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Challenges and opportunities in implementing EU funded project in Kosovo
On March 29th, 2011, CRP/K’s Finance Manager and Program Officer participated
in the workshop “Challenges and opportunities in implementing EU funded project
in Kosovo”. This workshop was organized in close cooperation with European Commission
Liaison Office and addressed issues of reporting requirements, terms and obligations
of the partnership, as well as building synergies between projects.
Participants included representatives of various local and international organizations
which are implementing partners of projects funded by the European Union.
Sustainability of the CSOs in
IPA Countries
On 23-25 March, 2011, CRP/K’s Executive Director participated
in the regional conference organized by the Regional Office of the Technical Assistance
for Organizations of Civil Society (TACSO), with the topic “Sustainability of the
CSOs in IPA Countries”, as part of the project financed by the European Union.
The main focus of this conference was put on the
addressing of the relevant issues which impact and define the sustainability of
civil societies and sharing of experiences among IPA countries.
Participants included TACSO officials, representatives
of the European Union, and Serbian government officials.
59th Course on International Refugee Law
On 21-25 March, 2011, CRP/K’s Legal Manager and the Senior
Legal Officer participated in the 59th Course on International Refugee
Law held in
Sanremo, Italy
.
This course is organized by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in Sanremo
in co-operation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and
with the support of the Swiss Federal Office for Migration, the US State Department
(Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration / BPRM) and the Italian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
Participants included representatives of various institutions of all continents.
Human Rights Monitoring Workshop
On March 6th, 2011, CRP/K participated in the
Human Rights Monitoring Workshop, organized by the UNHCR OCM Protection Unit in
Pristina.
Participants included stakeholders from various local and international institutions
and organizations.
Ideas that were represented in the workshop comprised of trainings for/on the MOCRs,
refugee law trainings, trainings on property rights, meetings on the structure of
monitoring and reporting (including the monitoring forms), individual training for
the IPs, and more concrete information sharing between FO and OCM.
Also mentioned were the sections covering readmissions, voluntary repatriation,
the excom conclusions and the Returnee Monitoring Framework.
PRESS RELEASE
Challenges of the legal sistem in Kosovo
Civil Rights Program- Kosovo (CRP/K), since 1999, when it was established, has worked
in active manner in the protection of human rights, providing free legal aid, information
and counseling to categories of persons in vulnerable situation. CRP/K, through
this legal opinion intends to assess the compatibility of the terminology in Kosovo
legislation with international standards in this area and provide its contribution
to the advancement of legal texts.
more...
Comments on the Draft Law of Free Legal Aid
Introductory Observations
The legal system, which is included in the Constitution of the
Republic of Kosovo
, among other things, guarantees high standards of protection of the human rights,
which are recognized by the international instruments, which are empowered in Article
22 of the Constitution. Also, advantage was given to the international instruments
in cases when the local legislation is in contradiction with them. Among these instruments,
the European Convention on Human Rights, recognizes guaranteeing the right to a
fair trial, respectively, guaranteeing the right to free legal assistance.
more...
Roundtable on “Social Assistance, legislation and administrative procedures
– criteria and needs to amend the Law on Social Assistance in Kosovo”
On 29th
of June 2010, the Civil Rights Program – Kosovo (CRP/K) organized a roundtable on
the “Social Assistance, legislation and administrative procedures – criteria and
needs to amend the Law on Social Assistance in Kosovo”.
The focus of this roundtable was article 4.1b of the Law on the Social Assistance
Scheme in Kosovo (LSASK), on the duty of the Center for Social Work for the assignment
of custody of minor, children and the compliance and applicability of the procedures
foreseen by the applicable laws in Kosovo.
The seminar participants included representatives of the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), representative of the office of the Ombudsman,
representatives of the department of Labor and Social Welfare within the Ministry
of Labor and Social Welfare (MLSW), directors, managers and coordinators of the
Social Assistance Scheme at the Center for Social Work Kosovo-wide, representatives
of Complaints Commission within the MLSW, representatives of Roma, Ashkaelia and
Egyptian NGOs, CRP/K and others.
Roundtable on the “Administrative Procedures of Civil Status
Registration with focus on Civil Status Registration – late registration and difficult/complex
cases”
On 22nd of June, 2010, the Civil Rights Program – Kosovo (CRP/K)
organized a roundtable on the the “Administrative Procedures of Civil Status Registration
with focus on Civil Status Registration – late registration and difficult/complex
cases”.
The participants included representatives from various institutions, such as the
representatives from municipal civil status registration offices Kosovo-wide (heads
of offices), representatives from the Supreme Court of Kosovo, Ministry of Interior,
office of Ombudsman, UNICEF, representatives of minority communities, and so forth.
The main focus of this seminar was the late registration and difficult/complex cases
in the administrative procedures of civil registration where various participants
from the CRP/K presented five cases from their daily activities pertaining to late
registration, through administrative and court procedures. Various constructive
discussions and debates among the participants took place on the procedures that
were applied during the procession of these cases.
World Refugee Day Celebration
The Civil Rights Program – Kosovo (CRP/K) participated and presented it’s public
information materials in the Art Exhibition that has held at the
Prishtina Art Gallery
, as a part of the World Refugee Day, organized by the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The exhibition was held from 17 to 19 June.
Rebroadcast of the documentary on “Social Inclusion and
Access to Human Rights for Roma, Ashkaelia and Egyptian Communities in Kosovo; Access
to property rights”
The Civil Rights Program – Kosovo (CRP/K) has rebroadcasted the documentary on “Social
Inclusion and Access to Human Rights for Roma, Ashkaelia and Egyptian Communities
in Kosovo; Access to property rights”, from 8 June – 17 June 2010 in the television
networks Kosovo-wide. This documentary is part of the European Commission IPA project,
financed by the European Commission and co-financed by the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Study visit in Brussels: Respect and freedom of expression of
sexual orientation and gender identity
The Civil Rights Program – Kosovo
(CRP/K) has participated in a workshop held in Brussels on the “Respect
and freedom of expression of sexual orientation and gender identity", from 07-10 June 2010. CRP/K was represented by
its legal analyst, Arjeta Ukaj.
Among other topics that were discussed in this workshop were the “LGBT
rights” (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender).
This workshop intended to offer to individuals and organisations from the beneficiary
countries the possibility to visit EU institutions, as well as relevant EU platform
organisations, or whenever relevant for the topic of the study visits, also other
European, international or nationals organisations, in order to familiarise themselves
with EU structures, policy making process, programmes, policies and best practices.
The aim of this study tour is to inform the participating representatives of civil
society organisations about international and European legal bases which prohibit
discriminations on the ground of sexual orientations.
Seminar in Struga, fYRoM
The Civil Rights Program – Kosovo (CRP/K)
organized a seminar in Struga,
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
, held on 2-4 June, 2010.
The seminar included the selection appointment of the new president and vice-president
of CRP/K’s Assembly and the approval of the new CRP/K statute.
CRP/K and UNHCR representatives gave presentations
on the 4 Pillars of CRP/K’s sub-agreements with the UNHCR, targets and achievements,
constraints, reporting requirements. Other topics included prevention of statelessness,
naturalization of fYRoM refugees, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and age,
gender and diversity mainstreaming (AGDM).
Seminars
on the Strategy for the Integration
of Roma, Ashkaelia and Egyptian
Communities
in Kosovo society (2009-15)
The Civil Rights Program – Kosovo (CRP/K) has organized four roundtables on the
Kosovo government Strategy for the Integration
of Roma, Ashkaelia and Egyptian Communities in Kosovo society (2009-15) -
The Action Plan and
Implementation of the Registration and Documents sector of the Strategy.
These roundtables were held in Prizren 26.05.2010 (Prizren region), 27.05.2010 in
Ferizaj/Urosevac (Gjilan/Gnjilane region), Istog/Istok on 09.06.2010 (regions of
Peja/Pec and Mitrovica), and in Pris(h)tina 10.06.2010 (Pris(h)tina region).
In addition, the participants included representatives from municipal institutions
Kosovo-wide, officials from the Ministry of Education and local schools, media representatives,
and local and international non-governmental organizations.
The aim goal of these roundtables was capacity building of the civil society of
Roma, Ashkaelia and Egyptian communities with respect to the “Strategy
for the Integration of Roma, Ashkaelia
and Egyptian
Communities 2009-2015 in Kosovo society (2009-15) - The
Action Plan and
Implementation of the Registration and Documents sector of the Strategy”, and
the debate on this strategy.
CRP/K participation in the Blended Learning Course
The Civil Rights Program Kosovo (CRP/K), through its legal adviser, Memli Ymeri,
has participated in the Blended Learning Course “Researching Country of Origin Information”.
The course was organized by the COI Training Network, a group of COI-trainers from
governmental and non-governmental organizations in different European countries.
Among others institutions, COI Training Network works for the United Nations High
Commisioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It is co-ordinated by ACCORD/Austrian Red Cross
and supported by UNHCR.
CRP/K’s attended a 4 week tutor supported self-studying of the course (25 May –
18 June 2010) and a 1 day face-to-face training held in
Vienna
(24 June 2010).
The following issues were addressed in the course programme:
a. The role of COI in the refugee status determination process
b. Procedural and substantive COI standards
c. Source assessment
d. Practical research exercises.
Roundtable on the Enrolment and Registration of RAE Children in Primary Education
in Kosovo
On 29th of April, 2010,
the Civil Rights Program – Kosovo (CRP/K) organized a roundtable on the current
situation of the “Enrolment and Registration of Roma, Ashkaelia and Egyptian Children
in Primary Education in Kosovo.
The participants included representatives from municipal institutions Kosovo-wide,
officials from the Ministry of Education and local schools, media representatives,
and local and international non-governmental organizations.
After the presentation and discussion of the participants, it was concluded that
it is vital to create the condition that will enable RAE communities to be included
in the obligatory education system/elementary school.
Enrolment and Registration of RAE Children in Primary Education in Kosovo
As from January 2010, the Civil Rights Program in Kosovo
is implementing a new project “Enrolment and Registration of RAE Children in Primary
Education in Kosovo”, Kosovo-wide, for a period until July 2011. This project, which
is co-financed by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)
and the Civil Rights Defenders (CRD),
is entitled to serve in the benefit of the RAE communities, focusing mainly in the
RAE children who face with various obstacles in terms of their enrolment in the
educational institutions.
PRESS RELEASE
Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian Communities benefit
from Direct Legal Assistance and Advice on Civil registration and Access to Rights
The Civil Rights Program in Kosovo (CRP/K) and UNHCR Kosovo continue to support
the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities in Kosovo through the projects “Social
Inclusion of and Access to Human Rights for Communities in Western Balkans” and
“Social Inclusion: Regional Support
to Marginalized Communities”.
Kosovo Celebrates Law Day
On January 16th,
2010 Kosovo marks the Law Day. On this occasion, on January 15th, 2010, a Law Fair
will be organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Justice and helped by ABA
ROLI and USAID. The event will be open
from 10:00 until 14:30 hrs in the Red Hall of the “Youth Center”
in Prishtina. The Law Fair will be open from 10:45 until 14:00 hrs. The Opening
Ceremony will include speeches by the President of the Republic, Minister of Justice,
representatives of the U.S. Embassy, EULEX and others. Civil Rights Program in Kosovo,
among others, will expose information materials, including brochures, leaflets,
and posters.
An open public debate with the most prominent representatives
of Kosovo Justice System will also be part of the celebration of the law day in
Kosovo.
Roundtable on Administrative Procedures of Civil
Registration and Prevention of Statelessness
Civil Rights Program – Kosovo is organizing a roundtable on Administrative Procedures
of Civil Registration and Prevention of Statelessness. The roundtable will take
place in Prishtina, AFA hotel (Dubrovnik street)
on Tuesday 15 December 2009, from 09:30 until 14:00hrs.
The roundtable is co-financed by the UNHCR and European Commission.
Rebroadcast of the documentary on Civil Registration
of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo on the occasion of Human Rights
Day
On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, a documentary on Civil Registration
of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo, co-produced by the UNHCR and
the Civil Rights Program – Kosovo will be rebroadcast on Radio Television of Kosovo
on Thursday 10 December 2009, from 23:15 hrs, right after the “BLIC” news edition
World Refugee Day
On 19 and 20 June 2009 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Mission
in Kosovo celebrated the World Refugee Day. The celebration was opened by the inauguration
of the Photo Exhibition "Real People, Real Needs". Government representatives as
well as local and international organizations and NGOs participated in the event.
Speakers included Mr. Herman Stuurwold, UNHCR Chief of
Mission
, and Mr. Shaip Muja, adviser to the Prime Minister and government coordinator for
the Roma camps. Among the invited guests was Mr. Sasa Rasic, the Minister for Communities
and Returns attended the event. The event was held at the Youth, Culture and Sports
Centre of Pristina.
Conference on the Process of Reporting on the Children’s Human Rights
On June 16, 2009 CRP/K participated in a Conference on the Process of Reporting
on the Children’s Human Rights. The conference was organized by the Office of Good
Governance, Office of the Prime Minister and the Children’s Human Rights Protection
Center in Kosovo.
Workshop on Property rights and Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in Kosovo
On 3-5 June 2009 The Civil Rights Program- Kosovo (CRP/K) organized an open workshop
on Property rights and Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in Kosovo. The workshop
was held in
Sandanski, Bulgaria
. Participants included CRP/K’s management and the legal staff from its regional
field offices, as well as Mrs. Merita Ahma, Associate Protection Officer,
Mission
in Kosovo, UNHCR. Among the speakers addressing the workshop were Mr. Naim Osmani
(Executive Director, CRP/K), Mr. Petrit Prekazi (Legal Manager, CRP/K), and Mrs.
Merita Ahma (Associate Protection Officer,
Mission
in Kosovo, UNHCR).
Law Day
On January 16, 2009, CRP/K participated at the “Law Day” that was organized
by ABA ROLI in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice. During this event CRP/K
represented its materials in the small fair that was organized on behalf of this
day. The President of Kosova, Mr. Fatmir Sejdiu who also took part in this event,
thanked the participants as well as the special thanks were addressed to the organizations
which are promoting the human rights. In this regard the Minister of Justice declared
the 16th of January as an important day to be celebrated each year as
a Day of Justice.
Training on SGBV cases
On March 3, 2009
CRP/K along with the UNHCR organized training on understanding the SGBV cases and
application of the needed manners in dealing with those. The training was held in
the CRP/K’s Head Quarter premises with the participation of the CRP/K legal staff
as well as the trainer Mrs. Merita Ahma, UNHCR representative
GIV meetings and activities
On March 11-13, 2009, CRP/K participated in GIV meetings/activities organized
by UNHCR in
Montenegro
. The participants of the GIV meetings were CRP/K, UNHCR FO Prishtina, Obilic/Lipjan
Municipality,
UNHCR Podgorica, BCR and DRC. The three days meeting consisted of presentations of the
work of all participants, as well as visits of the RAE DPs originating from Obilic
and Ljipljan.
Participatory Strategic Planning Workshop
On March 19, 2009
CRP/K participated at 2010/2011 Participatory Strategic Planning Workshop organized
by UNHCR. This workshop was held with the aim of identifying plans and activities
for the coming period, current situation analysis and donors priorities.
Documentaries and TV/radio promo within the European Commission’s CARDS project
On May 2009 and December 2008 two television documentaries
and one TV/radio spot were produced by CRP/K, in cooperation with UNHCR, within
the CARDS project financed by the European Commission. The main theme of the first
documentary was “Social Inclusion and Access to Human Rights for Roma, Ashkali and
Egyptian Communities in Kosovo”, whereas the subject of the second documentary was
“Access to property rights for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities in Kosovo”.
The documentaries and the spot were broadcast on the following TV and radio networks:
Radio and Television of Kosovo, TV
Mitrovica, TV Dukagjini Peje/Pec, TV Yeni Donem
Prizren, Radio Prizreni, Radio Energji Gjilan/Gnjilane, Radio Contact Plus Mitrovica.
Workshop on the Draft Strategy and National Action
Plan of the Children’s Human Rights in Kosovo
On May 13, 2009 CRP/K participated in a workshop entitled in raising discussion
on the Draft Strategy and National Action Plan of the Children’s Human Rights in
the Republic of Kosovo during 2009-2013 through the establishment of an adequate
area in offering viewpoints and contributions from important actors such as children
and young people, local and international NGOs, and civil society in general. The
workshop was organized by the Office of Good Governance and the Office of Prime
Minister, in cooperation with UNICEF in Kosovo
Go-Inform Visit for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
On May 14, 2009, In organization of Danish Refugee Council and in cooperation with
UNHCR and Municipality of Pristina/Prishtine, a Go-Inform Visit was conducted for
Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) from Pristina/Prishtine in
Novi Sad
where CRP/K’s representatives participated. The main goal of the visit was to asses
the interest of RAE IDPs towards return, as well as to inform them on existing return
activities and projects. Moreover, this meeting was opportunity to disseminate official
information about activities and plans of relevant institutions and organizations
involved in the return process. Meeting was attended by 35 IDPs which received valid
and crucial information from the side of representatives of Pristina/Prishtine Municipality,
UNHCR, Ministry for Communities and Returns, CRPK and DRC, related to the return
process.
Conference on the launching of the National Action Plan on the behalf of People
with Limited Abilities in Kosovo
On May 23, 2009 CRP/K participated in a conference on the launching of the National
Action Plan on the behalf of People with Limited Abilities in Kosovo. The conference
was organized by the Office of Good Governance/ Office of the Prime Minister in
cooperation with the Italian Cooperation within the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Workshop on Property rights and Sexual and Gender-based
Violence (SGBV) in Kosovo
On 3-5 June 2009 The Civil Rights Program- Kosovo (CRP/K) organized an open workshop
on Property rights and Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in Kosovo. The workshop
was held in
Sandanski, Bulgaria
. Participants included CRP/K’s management and the legal staff from its regional field offices, as well as Mrs. Merita Ahma, Associate Protection Officer,
Mission
in Kosovo, UNHCR.
Among the speakers addressing the workshop were Mr. Naim Osmani (Executive Director,
CRP/K), Mr. Petrit Prekazi (Legal Manager, CRP/K), and Mrs. Merita Ahma (Associate
Protection Officer,
Mission
in Kosovo, UNHCR).
Seminar on the Process of reporting of Human and Children’s Rights
On June
8-9, 2009 CRP/K participated in a seminar
organized by the Children's Human Rights Centre – Kosova in cooperation
with the Children’s
Human
Rights
Protection
Center
in
Albania
, with the topic “The process of reporting of Human
and Children’s Rights”. Participants in the seminar were representatives of respective NGOs of the civil society within Kosovo. The seminar was financed by the Olof Palme International Center, Sweden.
Conference on the Process of Reporting on the Children’s
Human Rights
On June 16, 2009 CRP/K participated in a Conference on
the Process of Reporting on the Children’s Human Rights. The conference was organized
by the Office of Good Governance, Office of the Prime Minister and the Children’s
Human Rights Protection Center in Kosovo.
World Refugee Day
On 19 and 20 June 2009 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Mission
in Kosovo celebrated the World Refugee Day. The celebration was opened by the inauguration
of the Photo Exhibition "Real People, Real Needs". Government representatives as
well as local and international organizations and NGOs participated in the event.
Speakers included Mr. Herman Stuurwold, UNHCR Chief of
Mission
, and Mr. Shaip Muja, adviser to the Prime Minister and government coordinator for
the Roma camps. Among the invited guests was Mr. Sasa Rasic, the Minister for Communities
and Returns attended the event. The event was held at the Youth, Culture and Sports
Centre of Pris(h)tina.
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