Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo welcomes appointment of Ombudsperson
PRISHTINE/PRISTINA, 4 June 2009 - The head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Werner Almhofer, welcomed the Assembly of Kosovo's appointment today of Sami Kurteshi as Ombudsperson, filling a post that has been vacant for more than three years.
"I congratulate the Assembly on the appointment. I trust that Kurteshi will further improve the work of the important Ombudsperson institution and continue its work in an independent manner free of any form of political influence," Almhofer said. "I hope that he, through his efforts, will gain the trust of all communities in Kosovo."
Since the departure of the international Ombudsperson in December 2005, the Ombudsperson institution has been headed by Acting Ombudsperson Hilmi Jashari. The Kosovo Assembly has been responsible for appointing the Ombudsperson since January 2006.
"Hilmi Jashari's engagement and dedication have been important forces in the past years," Almhofer said. "The Assembly-appointed Ombudsperson will be able to build on the work already accomplished."
The Ombudsperson Institution in Kosovo has the mandate to address alleged human rights violations and abuses of authority by public institutions. It also conducts investigations, issues reports and provides legal services and public advocacy.