YIHR Public Debates on the Justice Sector

The Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR KS) held three Public Debates on the Justice Sector in Prishtina, Peja and Prizren.  Gjylymser Nallbani of YIHR KS, Arianit Lukaj of “Syri i Vizionit” and Vetim Krasniqi and Arta Arifi of “EC Ma Ndryshe” moderated these events which provided a forum for young citizens to engage in a dialogue with justice sector actors in Kosovo regarding challenges facing the system, and for citizens to act as agents of change to increase accountability, transparency and integrity in the justice sector.

The panels consisted of representatives from the Anti-Corruption Agency, the Basic Court of Prishtina, the Basic Court of Prizren, the Kosovo Bar Association and the Kosovo Judicial Council who were cooperative and enthusiastic to participate in this debate by answering questions and offering advice on how youth can demand their rights and become active citizens.

This event comes on the heels of YIHR’s delivery of its “Youth for Justice” (Y4J) lecture series, and thus offered high school students an opportunity to engage further with key justice sector actors on issues that they have encountered regarding the justice sector and its implementation.  However, in the spirit of building a culture of youth-driven demand for justice, YIHR also ensured that the audience was composed of the D4J Legal Clinic students and other interested law students. Through this activity, YIHR was able to create an environment that made youngsters feel more empowered, and free to express their concerns regarding issues within the justice system in Kosovo.

“If we have a fair and well-constructed system of education, then future lawyers, prosecutors, and judges will be more responsible and fair in their work”, concluded one of the students during the debate.

“We demand credible institutions, where our complaints are taken seriously, and the anonymity of the person who makes the complaint is kept safe,” asserted another.

Students asked various questions that helped them to better understand the job and the responsibilities of the public institutions that were present at the debate. Among other questions, students asked were “What kind of protection does the Anti-Corruption Agency offer to citizens regarding their complaints and their identity, and is that information kept safe?”

Demand for Justice Program aims to empower citizens demand for justice in Kosovo. This program is implemented by NCSC and supported by the US Department of State/INL.