Prishtina, 31 May 2013
Honorable members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Children’s Rights,
Honorable members,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We have gathered here today to mark “June 1”, international day for Children’s Rights, and one of the most important days for us and the world.
I am honored today to be chairing the regular meeting of the Inter-ministerial Committee on Children’s Rights, bringing to attention the work and commitment of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo in guaranteeing the rights of children today, so that they can enjoy tomorrow.
In the beginning, I would like to express my greatest consideration toward children in general, and especially Kosovar children, who represent the reality of today, and without doubt, will be building and presenting a successful future for our country.
On this occasion, I warmly congratulate all children of the Republic of Kosovo on “June 1,” which is their day.
For me, it is a great pleasure to be among you to discuss our achievements in implementing children’s rights, and any problems or challenges encountered, as well as planning necessary actions by the government institutions to address and overcome these difficulties.
One of the achievements of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is the drafting of the first State Report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Kosovo and submitting it for review to the UN Treaty bodies.
It is worth emphasizing that this step taken by the Government is noted as an achievement in the 2011 Progress Report.
By this act, the Republic of Kosovo expressed its readiness and good political will to undertake the fulfillment of its international obligations, which ensure the realization of all fundamental and inalienable rights for all children in Kosovo.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo has made clear to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child that would be delighted to respond to any questions, observation, advice or recommendation that it wishes to address to us.
In order to place the child at the center of the Government’s priorities, improvements have been made enabling the creation and functionality of a series of inter-institutional mechanisms, regarding policy design and the monitoring of the realization of children’s rights.
To respect and protect children’s rights, proper joint coordination is required and a multi-sectoral institutional approach, and for this purpose the following have been established: a Kosovo Committee for the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labor; a Council for Protection and Justice for Children; a Council for Pre-School Education; a Kosovar Committee on the Health of the Mother and Child; as well as other working groups.
As implementing children’s rights requires the establishment of a functional system of monitoring, reporting and internal assessment, especially with regard to an inter-sectoral approach, through the untiring work of the Office of Good Governance, a joint system of monitoring, assessment and reporting on the implementation of the Strategy on Children’s Rights has been created, a system that requires accountability in work, provides recommendations, advice and a clear way of dealing with challenges, deficiencies and eventual difficulties identified.
Another achievement which will assist in reforming the juvenile justice system is Government approval and implementation of Indicators for Justice for Children, then the mapping and assessment of the system of protection for children, the drafting of the Protocol on the prevention and referral of violence in pre-university education institutions, and a series of other accomplishments.
Noting the achievements reached up to now and being aware that before us we have many other objectives to fulfill, I ask you to view this as a positive indicator, motivating us to work harder and commit further, joining forces and knowledge to implement all the obligations that derive from domestic legislation and international conventions, guaranteeing full respect of children’s rights and the ensuring of quality standards for all children.
The state mechanisms, which among others are responsible for facilitating the implementation of children’s rights, will be offered constant institutional support for the implementation of their Working Plans, and every six months, they are required to present a report to the Secretariat of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Children’s Rights, which currently functions within the Office of the Prime Minister/Office of Good Governance, which serves to develop and support necessary activities for the Committee’s work.
Making these government bodies fully functional assists in the fulfillment of the mission of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, which among others is creating better living conditions for children, such as: in family, society, public and private institutions, and especially protecting the child from all possible forms of discrimination, violence, abuse, exploitation and dangerous jobs, thus ensuring a normal life and development for the child; as well as strengthening the mechanisms that will ensure that accepted norms for the protection of children are being implemented and respected, that the highest interest of the child is taken into consideration and the voice of the child is heard.
Various domestic and international non-governmental organizations working in Kosovo have done excellent work with good results in implementing children’s rights.
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the European Union office and the UNICEF Office in Kosovo, for their continual support for our joint projects.
And lastly, I congratulate all Committee members on this meeting and I invite them all to engage in a constructive discussion and to express the deep commitment that we have in the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, to work hard to make Kosovo a better country, which protects and guarantees the rights of all children in Kosovo.
Thank you!
Last modified: July 31, 2022