Prishtina, June 9, 2025
Dear Mr. Aivo Orav, Ambassador of the European Union Office in Kosovo,
Dear Mr. Jonas Westerlund, Ambassador of Sweden in Kosovo,
Dear Mr. Habit Hajredini, Director of the Office for Good Governance,
Honored partners and activists,
Dear attendees,
Welcome to the Government of the Republic of Kosovo—the government of all citizens of our country, without distinction.
It is my pleasure to address you today at the opening of the ninth edition of Pride Week in Kosovo, which is being held under the title “No Step Back”. Events like Pride Week are important in the struggle for freedom and equal rights, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Your presence here today, and the fact that Pride Week is being held for the ninth time in Kosovo, testifies to the vitality and activism of the community.
Unfortunately, painful experiences are not unknown to some members of the LGBTQI+ community, even today—in Kosovo, as elsewhere. Feelings of shame and self-hatred, family rejection, and societal discrimination are phenomena that all of us who believe in freedom and equality must fight together. Let us commit to continue moving forward—without a single step back.
In this regard, state institutions are fulfilling their responsibilities. Our government is constantly working on the development of adequate policies for an inclusive society with equal treatment for all and without discrimination. Under the coordination of the Office for Good Governance within the Office of the Prime Minister, an Action Plan for the Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons in the Republic of Kosovo (2025–2027) has been drafted, which is expected to be finalized and adopted by the Government within this year. This action plan aims to raise public awareness on preventing discrimination and to implement concrete institutional actions in areas such as education, healthcare, and security, among others.
In addition, under the leadership of the Office of the Prime Minister, a Coordinating and Advisory Group for the Rights of the LGBTQI+ Community in Kosovo is operational—an essential mechanism for the promotion of human rights and the prevention of discrimination. This mechanism consists of representatives from civil society and relevant ministries, as well as the judiciary, the State Prosecutor, the Kosovo Police, municipalities, and social work centers, along with international partners. All of these institutions are working together, tirelessly, for a more just and equal Kosovo.
Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, Amartya Sen, writes about—and I quote— “the ability to appear in public without shame,” as an essential aspect of equality among citizens. In this spirit, Pride Week is a meaningful and important tradition for Kosovo. This week, and all the events it comprises, strongly uphold the principle that each one of us has the right to appear in public as we are—without shame, without discomfort, and without humiliation.
Precisely because we are different as people, we must be equal as human beings. And if we must—then we can.
Thank you, and I wish you a successful and fruitful Pride Week!
