In recognition of the upcoming United Nations Day on October 24, UNMIK and the Kosovo Law Institute (KLI) held an event yesterday in Gračanica/Graçanicë to highlight and promote their ongoing joint efforts to advance human rights and the rule of law by improving access to justice for vulnerable groups from all Kosovo communities.

“Since 2019, with UNMIK’s support, KLI's free legal aid offices in Pristina and North Mitrovica have taken on and successfully completed more than 1,500 court cases, providing essential support and protection to those in need, including women and non-minority communities, during their most challenging times,” said SRSG and Head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh.

“This important work paves the way toward a future where justice is not merely an idea but a reality for all,” Ziadeh added, pledging further support for KLI’s professional endeavours.

Over the past five years, UNMIK has supported KLI in providing free legal aid and extending outreach from Pristina to other parts of Kosovo, including the north. This includes running legal clinics for 140 law students, future lawyers, judges, and prosecutors, from diverse communities, raising awareness about crucial rule-of-law issues affecting people's everyday lives, and translating Kosovo’s case law from Albanian into Serbian to ensure accessibility.

“We work hard to promote the human rights of both majority and non-majority communities. With UNMIK’s support, KLI, our lawyers, and other NGOs can help vulnerable groups attain their rights and the legal protection they need,” said KLI Executive Director Ehat Miftaraj.

With UNMIK's support, KLI plans to open a new free legal aid office in Gračanica/Graçanicë.

Commenting on this development, the President of the local Court Branch, Siniša Borisavljević, expressed gratitude to all those “working to ensure that justice has the right meaning.”

“Our joint efforts are especially important in inter-ethnic local communities, and it is crucial for the people to have access to a court, prosecutor's office, and free legal aid office,” he added.

UNMIK's support for KLI’s initiatives remains steadfast, ensuring the sustainability of free legal aid services for all those in need in Kosovo, helping secure access to justice, and supporting the next generation of legal professionals in serving the public.