6 january 2022

The multi-stakeholder Security and Gender Group (SGG) strongly condemns the killing of L.Q at the hands of her husband in Laushe, municipality of Skenderaj/Srbica, on January 5th, 2022. 

The Security and Gender Group (SGG) calls upon relevant institutions to thoroughly investigate circumstances of the death of L.Q and ensure that justice is served for victims of gender-based violence. The SGG calls on Kosovo authorities to implement effective measures to prevent gender-based violence and provide effective protection to victims.

The SGG expresses concern over the increase of cases of femicide, which continues to take the lives of women and girls. Kosovo institutions must take urgent steps to prevent femicide and gender-based violence against women in Kosovo.

Domestic violence is a crime, as stated in Article 248 of the Criminal Code of Kosovo and is punishable by a fine and imprisonment. It is further a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between women and men. Preventing and addressing gender-based violence is a legal and moral obligation requiring legislative, administrative and institutional measures and reforms.

The Kosovo Assembly adopted an amendment to the Constitution that gives direct effect to the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention in 2020. This Convention sets out legally binding standards specifically to prevent gender-based violence, protect victims of violence and punish perpetrators. It also provides a comprehensive framework, policies, and measures for the protection of and assistance to all victims of violence against women and domestic violence. 
 
The SGG emphasizes further efforts by Kosovo Institutions to advance the implementation of this Convention and take concrete actions to stronger prevent violence against women and girls, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators.

The SGG further expresses concern over the easy access to firearms by perpetrators. Access to firearms increases the chances of perpetrators killing their victims, while further exacerbating power and control dynamic used by abusers to inflict emotional abuse and exert coercive control over victims.

The murder of women by their intimate partners is one of the most severe form of violence, often part of a continuum of other forms of violence experienced by women in intimate relationships. 
However, violence against women and girls is not inevitable, there is more evidence than ever before on how to prevent it. A comprehensive approach is required, starting from prevention; accelerating bringing in line the relevant legal framework with established international standards; ensuring essential services are available and accessible to survivors, and ensuring effective and efficient judicial proceedings.

To ensure that women and girls are protected effectively in the future, SGG members appeal to Kosovo institutions: 
•    to treat domestic violence cases with high priority, 
•    to guarantee justice for victims, 
•    to initiate perpetrator programmes, aimed at changing violent behavioural patterns. 
•    to approve and adequately implement National Strategy on Protection against Domestic Violence and Violence against Women, as well as the draft Law on the Prevention of and Protection from Domestic Violence, Violence against Women, and Gender-Based 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 and Embassies: 
UN Women, UNMIK – United Nations Mission in Kosovo, IOM, 

Women’s organizations and NGOs:
Kosovo Gender Studies Center (KGSC), Kosovo Law Institute (KLI), SIT - Center for Counseling, Social Services and Research, Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo (YIHR-Ks),

Kosovo Institutions:
Agency for Gender Equality (AGE),