Human rights

In addition, the Mission works on gender equality and domestic violence prevention within communities as a cross-cutting issue.

In practice, work on human and community rights includes legislative and policy review and analysis, support to the development of new policies and legislation, monitoring the work of executive, judicial, legislative, and law enforcement institutions related to human rights compliance. It focuses particularly on promoting appropriate police responses to cases of hate crimes and public gatherings. . Furthermore, the Mission provides training to staff working in public institutions and civil society organizations, and engages in outreach initiatives and human rights advocacy. It also works with public safety mechanisms – the Local Public Safety Committees (LPSC) and Municipal Safety Councils (MCSC) - to sensitise them to the need to contribute more to the safety of their localities, and to gender equality and youth inclusion in various processes.

A strong commitment to protecting and advancing the economic, social, and cultural rights of the most vulnerable groups within communities is key to the Mission’s work. In June 2019, for example, three Regional Employment Fairs were organized in the regions of Pejë/Peć, Gjilan/Gnjilane, and Prishtinë/Priština, targeting Kosovo Roma, Kosovo Ashkali, and Kosovo Egyptians. The events gave job seekers the chance to learn about employment, grants and other opportunities. During the fairs, numerous members of these communities exchanged contact details with companies and NGOs for future employment and attendance of training events.