Institutions need to respond better to cases of domestic violence in Kosovo, says Head of OSCE Mission

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 24 November 2015 – Ahead of tomorrow’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jean-Claude Schlumberger, said that relevant institutions need to do more to enhance their responses to cases of domestic violence.

Schlumberger said that in the past three years, women have been the victims in approximately 80% of reported cases of domestic violence, and that there has been a slight increase each year in the number of reported cases.

“However, in Kosovo, as in the rest of the world, the number of reported cases does not adequately capture the level of violence against women or the extent of the problem of domestic violence,” he said. “Domestic violence is often considered ‘an internal family matter’ and under-reporting is a major concern.”

The response from the relevant institutions to domestic violence is often lacking, said Schlumberger.

“One illustration of what can happen to a victim of domestic violence without the appropriate response is the recent murder of Ms. Zejnepe Bytyçi-Berisha from Suharekë/Suva Reka. Her case points to a breakdown in the system that is supposed to help and protect victims of this crime.”

The Head of the OSCE Mission said that following her death, the Mission had assessed the reactions of the institutions responsible for providing assistance to her, and the results were disappointing.

“The report we are releasing today indicates insufficient steps were taken to protect her and to investigate allegations of domestic violence against her husband. This, even after she attempted suicide in 2012 – in what appears to have been a final effort to seek help from the relevant institutions – and presented evidence that she and her 11-year-old daughter were repeatedly subjected to abuse,” said Schlumberger.

“The legal and regulatory framework to protect people like Ms. Bytyçi-Berisha and to bring perpetrators of domestic violence to justice is, in general, in place in Kosovo. But the authorities – Kosovo Police, the prosecutors, the Victims’ Advocates Units, and the Centres for Social Welfare – all need to do more to meet their obligations in these cases.”

The full report with recommendations is available here: https://www.osce.org/kosovo/203051