Deputy Ombudsman Ivan Šelih is currently attending an international conference in Pristina entitled The Future of Human Rights Amid Global Transformations: National Challenges and International Obligations, organised by the Kosovo Ombudsman's Office to mark its 25th anniversary. During the event, Šelih congratulated the host, Human Rights Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj, on the anniversary, thanking him and his colleagues for their important work at national and international levels.

Šelih emphasised that protecting human rights is fundamental to every democratic society as it ensures justice and respect for individual dignity, strengthening people's trust in institutions. In Kosovo, where democratisation processes have brought about major changes in recent decades, this area plays a particularly important role.

"The institution of the Kosovo Ombudsperson is a key link between the state and the individual – an advocate who protects human rights from abuse of power. Its work goes beyond dealing with specific cases, as it also contributes significantly to the democratisation of society, the strengthening of the rule of law, and the approximation of European human rights standards," Šelih emphasised. He added that the coming years will be crucial for further consolidating institutions and strengthening a culture of respect for human rights in everyday life, particularly with regard to gender equality, access to legal protection, and the protection of vulnerable groups.

He believes that cooperation between institutions is invaluable in addressing contemporary challenges, which often transcend national borders and require joint responses. International cooperation strengthens trust and contributes to the creation of a safe, just, and inclusive society for all.

The Kosovo Ombudsperson's Institution has enjoyed close ties with the Ombudsman's Institution of the Republic of Slovenia for many years. These ties have not only involved professional support and knowledge exchange, both of which have contributed significantly to the development of the Kosovo Ombudsperson's Institution, but have also fostered genuine and friendly relations between the two institutions during their years of collaboration.

Mr Šelih drew attention to the current situation in Slovenia, where the institution of the Human Rights Ombudsman has been operating without an elected head since February 2025. He pointed out that similar problems are experienced by some other sister institutions, where political decision-makers clearly lack responsibility, wisdom and the willingness to engage in dialogue and reach a timely consensus on the appointment of an ombudsman. He added that such situations reduce the effectiveness and authority of institutions, and undermine public confidence in their work in the long term.

He said that political decision-makers across Europe should pay more attention to the stability of independent institutions and the procedures for appointing their leaders. These processes must be clear and transparent, and protected from political interference, because it is independence that gives institutions the credibility and power to effectively protect human rights.

The conference in Pristina is attended by numerous high-level representatives of national and international institutions, including the President of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo and representatives of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), ENNHRI, EQUINET and the OSCE, and other organizations. On the eve of the event, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, also addressed the participants.