Without the help of the OSCE, my case would have lasted forever.

After years of beating and abuse by my husband, I divorced in 1987 and moved to the upper floor of our house. When he brought in a new wife, he forced me to leave the house and to rent a flat. After I left, he started maltreating the children, especially my daughter, Aferdita. On one day, when my son Mirsad returned home from work, he found his sister badly beaten up lying on the floor. He called me and said: “Mama, I have to bring Aferdita over, she is feeling really bad.”

I filed a complaint at the municipal court in Prizren to get my share of the house and to be able to live there safely with my children. After several court sessions, the issue was put on hold because of the conflicts in 1998. After that, I initiated the issue again. Although the judge told me that half of the house belongs to me, my husband would never let me have it. I couldn’t afford a lawyer.

One day, I was passing by the OSCE Office in Prizren and I thought to myself, let me try here and see if they can help. After explaining my situation, the Officer told me that they would look into my case and they did indeed. They helped me identify a lawyer (Fatmir Celina) through the Legal Aid Centre, who has done a wonderful job. He advised me how to proceed with the case, such as reporting my husband to the police, which I never did before, so that police would have a file. I also learned what my rights were; such as the right to receive the court document in my mother language. OSCE people also monitored very closely the court sessions of my case and they made sure that the judge was handling my case properly.

The OSCE helped me to join the Center for Women and Children in Prizren, where I go every day. I feel safer there and more comfortable as I have friends that morally support me.

In June 2005 I legally received half of the property and now I live again on the upper floor of the house. This means a lot to me as I do not have to pay a monthly rent of 130 Euro. I still have some fear of my ex-husband, but at least I found a system that can support me.

Without the help of the OSCE, my case would have lasted forever. Now I am back home and I am very thankful to the OSCE and the people who supported me during these three years.

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