24 August 2021

The Security and Gender Group (SGG) strongly condemns the killing of the 18-year-old young woman who was left with no signs of life at the hospital of Ferizaj/Uroševac on Sunday, 22 August. The SGG calls upon relevant institutions to take effective measures to thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading to the young victim’s death and, if criminal conduct is established, ensure justice for the victim. In addition, the SGG calls upon relevant institutions to promote and implement measures of preventing gender-based violence.

Preventing and addressing gender-based violence against women is a legal and moral obligation requiring concrete actions from the executive, legislative, and judiciary.

As stated by the responsible Prosecutor, the case is being investigated as "Aggravated Murder" as provided in the Article 173 under the Criminal Code of Kosovo. This case should further be treated in line with the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) which has been incorporated into the Kosovo Constitution under Article 22, paragraph 9. In this regard, Article 50 of the Istanbul Convention (immediate response, prevention and protection) requires that: “Effective measures should be taken to prevent the most blatant forms of violence which are murder or attempted murder. Each such case should be carefully analysed in order to identify any possible failure of protection in view of improving and developing further preventive measures.”

To ensure that women are protected from any form of violence, SGG members appeal to institutions to consider the following below:

• Kosovo Institutions must take concrete actions to prevent violence against women and girls, protect victims, prosecute and sentence the perpetrators in line with the Istanbul Convention.

• Necessary steps must be taken to include teaching material on issues such as “equality between women and men, non‐stereotyped gender roles, mutual respect, non‐violent conflict resolution in interpersonal relationships, gender‐based violence against women and the right to personal integrity.”

We are also concerned about the prejudicial statements on social media to which no room or promotion should be given by spreading them further. We also invite media for caution, verification, and careful reporting of this and all cases of violence.

The SGG extends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

Note to press:

The Security and Gender Group (SGG) is a multi-stakeholder group, chaired by UN Women. The following signatories are members of SGG and support this public statement:

International organizations: UN Kosovo Team agencies including the Office of the UN Development Coordinator, International Organization for Migration (IOM Kosovo) , United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Kosovo), United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef Kosovo Programme), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat Kosovo), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Kosovo, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS Kosovo), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR Kosovo); UNMIK - United Nations Mission in Kosovo; EU Office/EUSR EULEX Kosovo (Official) ; OSCE Mission in Kosovo; Suomen suurlähetystö Pristina - Embassy of Finland in Pristina British Embassy Pristina

Women’s organizations and NGOs: SIT - Center for Counseling, Social Services and Research; Kosova Women's Network; Youth Initiative for Human Rights - Kosovo (YIHR KS); Jahjaga Foundation; Qendra Kosovare për Studime Gjinore

Kosovo Institutions: Agjencia për Barazi Gjinore/ Zyra e Kryeministrit