21.06.2024. » 16:23 | ACDC

Consultative Meeting on Amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Law - North Mitrovica

North Mitrovica, June 21, 2024 - To enhance the protection of vulnerable groups and minority communities from discrimination and to gather insights for amending the Anti-Discrimination Law, the NGO ACDC, in cooperation with the Office for Good Governance – Prime Minister’s Office, organized a consultative meeting on June 21 at the EU House in North Mitrovica.

Attendees included Mr. Habit Hajredini, Director of the Office for Good Governance, Mr. Muhamet Vokrri, legal amendment expert, Jerome Bouyjou, Head of the Human Rights Office at UNMIK and representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Kosovo, as well as representatives of institutions, NGOs, and young lawyers from North Mitrovica.

Participants raised many key issues such as the right to education, the problem of including young lawyers from minority communities, language use, uneven investment in areas of Kosovo, inclusion of other minority communities, and hate speech.

The panelists explained that the law is in the initial stage of amendments and supplements, and many shortcomings in implementation have been identified, particularly concerning access to justice. They thanked the attendees and stated that all inputs would be addressed and forwarded to higher instances, and the first draft of the amendments and supplements to the law would be sent in all three languages.

The Anti-Discrimination Law aims to establish a comprehensive framework to prevent and combat discrimination on numerous grounds, including nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, social status, age, and more.