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President Osmani has promoted the KSF Commander Major General Bashkim Jashari to the rank of Lieutenant-General

The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani – Sadriu, at a special ceremony, organized at the Presidency, pursuant to her constitutional and legal competencies as President of the Republic of Kosovo and the Supreme Commander of the Kosovo Security Forces, following the recommendation of The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Albin Kurti has promoted the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force Major General Bashkim Jashari, to the rank of Lieutenant-General. “The KSF Commander Bashkim Jashari has today been promoted to the highest rank in the Republic of Kosovo. This rank carries a great obligation, and I am convinced as President of the country, in unison with the government that has made this recommendation, that with your ability you will lead with honor, pride, respect and integrity a Force which is built upon the great sacrifice of our people “, said President Osmani. President Osmani also pointed out that “The fame of your family name, of the legendary Jashari family, of the Kosovo Liberation Army, of those who fell for the freedom of our country and the uniform you wear, the reputation of the professional army that we have built together with our international partners according to standards of NATO, the faith that we here at the Presidency have, the Government of Kosovo as well as the mothers and fathers of men and women in uniform that you command make us have great expectations, but we are also aware that you also have the responsibility”.

Statement of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani

The former spokesman of the wife of criminal Milosevic is trying to change the historical facts with propaganda. Impossible and unattainable. A crime against humanity occurred in Reçak. This fact is known and documented worldwide. Vulin's tendencies reveal Serbia’s ambition to change history, this long-standing effort of this country in relation to Kosovo.

Speech by President Osmani: Discussion on protection of refugees from the human rights perspective

Professor Sejdiu! Distinguished guests! Dear Mr. Arduç! Honorable Dean Mr. Puka! Mrs. Richardson! Mr. Ogasavara! Dear colleagues, professors, teachers! Organizers of this forum! Dear participants! It is a special pleasure to participate in this forum co-organized by UNHCR and the Faculty of Law of the University of Prishtina. Because, this forum raises one of the most sensitive issues for modern societies and it is an opportunity to create political and social cohesion on the issues of refugees. For this reason I do appreciate your invitation and the given opportunity to discuss both our experiences and our point of view on this issue. Around 23 years ago, each of us, over 1 million citizens of Kosovo experienced the sad and grave sense of being a refugee. One of the hardest feelings and experiences one can experience. Perhaps, I must mention this at the start of my address that this experience has taught us all that no one chooses to be a refugee, yet anyone can become a refugee.  Hence I must mention that while Kosovo has gone through various historical trials and tribulations, among the most severe being the facing with the painful experience of persecution, murder, numerous massacres and mass deportation of more than one million of its citizens, in the years 1998-1999. Therefore, returning to a table dealing with the protection of refugees, additionally revives our memories of the 1990s and fuels our spiritual pain, and pushes us to appreciate our role today in preventing such situations, or the support that each of us can give to each refugee wherever he or she is. Because, the issue of refugees and displaced persons constitutes a human dimension for us, and not just an international legal obligation. I want to focus on this segment, taking into consideration our experience, which makes us extremely sensitive to the vulnerability of the human rights and freedoms of refugees, but also those of asylum seekers. As war refugees, the helping hand was extended to us from many peace-loving countries of the world who opened their doors to us, at a time when we were exposed as a population to extinction and when even hope seemed distant, almost impossible. But today we are here, free and determined to contribute that situations such as ours in 1999 are not repeated, aware that today we may be asked to extend our helping hand to refugees and other displaced persons, whose human rights may be violated often by their own state and when the only cover that they have is the sky. Therefore the least we can do now is to give our contribution to sheltering of those who have been forced to flee their homes and countries, whose hope for life today, as well as for their well-being tomorrow, depends on actions that we as society carry out. But despite the extended hand and the help we can give at a given moment, we acknowledge that refugees require long-term treatment and permanent commitment, not only to improve their current situation and allay their fears, but also to help them recover. We in Kosovo are grateful to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees / UNHCR for the great support and assistance that it has given to Kosovo for over more than two decades. People of Kosovo will always remember with the highest respect the dedication and passion of Mrs. Sadako Ogata (1927 – 2019), the first woman to serve as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. She has visited Kosovo several times, thus showing her commitment to the issue of our refugees. We also greatly appreciate the continues assistance of the Japanese population and government, through the JAICA Agency, and the assistance provided by each peace and freedom loving country in order to open their doors to us, by not turn their backs in order to save our lives. Today, we are consolidated as a democracy and we are acting as a responsible state by thanking also the role of our friends all over the globe, who were there for us during the most difficult moments of our history. From the time when we ourselves were refugees and forcibly displaced from our homes, until today when we in the Republic of Kosovo are doing everything to provide our contribution, we have demonstrated that dealing with refugee crises and related issues, such as asylum and migration, are permanent global challenges, to which the international community can respond only through spirit of human solidarity and by taking joint and coordinated action. The 1951 Refugee Convention remains the foundation on which a sustainable platform for the protection of refugee rights can be established. The establishment of the UNHCR, meanwhile, is the most powerful example of what we can achieve as states, nations and as individuals if we work together and in partnership with each other, in the name of sublime human values, such as the protection of those who for various reasons are forced to leave their homes. As we talk about the sensitive issue of refugees and we want to address it from a human rights perspective as well, let me underline another dimension: the protection of refugee’s touches upon not only the protection of life, but also protection of their dignity. As such, the protection of refugees is not only a matter of emergent provision of food and shelter, but also of legal guarantees for their rights and interests which have to be protected by each one of us, and by the international community at large – at times when they cannot enjoy protection from their governments which very often, are the main cause of crises and emigration and of human rights violations. Therefore, the role of international legal instruments, initially the Refugee Convention but also of other international human rights acts, are prime and irreplaceable conditions for the protection of the rights of refugees. Therefore, the organization of professional forums and debates with valuable experts, such as this forum co-organized by UNHCR and the Faculty of Law,

Speech by President Osmani: Discussion on protection of refugees from the human rights perspective

Professor Sejdiu! Distinguished guests! Dear Mr. Arduç! Honorable Dean Mr. Puka! Mrs. Richardson! Mr. Ogasavara! Dear colleagues, professors, teachers! Organizers of this forum! Dear participants! It is a special pleasure to participate in this forum co-organized by UNHCR and the Faculty of Law of the University of Prishtina. Because, this forum raises one of the most sensitive issues for modern societies and it is an opportunity to create political and social cohesion on the issues of refugees. For this reason I do appreciate your invitation and the given opportunity to discuss both our experiences and our point of view on this issue. Around 23 years ago, each of us, over 1 million citizens of Kosovo experienced the sad and grave sense of being a refugee. One of the hardest feelings and experiences one can experience. Perhaps, I must mention this at the start of my address that this experience has taught us all that no one chooses to be a refugee, yet anyone can become a refugee.  Hence I must mention that while Kosovo has gone through various historical trials and tribulations, among the most severe being the facing with the painful experience of persecution, murder, numerous massacres and mass deportation of more than one million of its citizens, in the years 1998-1999. Therefore, returning to a table dealing with the protection of refugees, additionally revives our memories of the 1990s and fuels our spiritual pain, and pushes us to appreciate our role today in preventing such situations, or the support that each of us can give to each refugee wherever he or she is. Because, the issue of refugees and displaced persons constitutes a human dimension for us, and not just an international legal obligation. I want to focus on this segment, taking into consideration our experience, which makes us extremely sensitive to the vulnerability of the human rights and freedoms of refugees, but also those of asylum seekers. As war refugees, the helping hand was extended to us from many peace-loving countries of the world who opened their doors to us, at a time when we were exposed as a population to extinction and when even hope seemed distant, almost impossible. But today we are here, free and determined to contribute that situations such as ours in 1999 are not repeated, aware that today we may be asked to extend our helping hand to refugees and other displaced persons, whose human rights may be violated often by their own state and when the only cover that they have is the sky. Therefore the least we can do now is to give our contribution to sheltering of those who have been forced to flee their homes and countries, whose hope for life today, as well as for their well-being tomorrow, depends on actions that we as society carry out. But despite the extended hand and the help we can give at a given moment, we acknowledge that refugees require long-term treatment and permanent commitment, not only to improve their current situation and allay their fears, but also to help them recover. We in Kosovo are grateful to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees / UNHCR for the great support and assistance that it has given to Kosovo for over more than two decades. People of Kosovo will always remember with the highest respect the dedication and passion of Mrs. Sadako Ogata (1927 – 2019), the first woman to serve as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. She has visited Kosovo several times, thus showing her commitment to the issue of our refugees. We also greatly appreciate the continues assistance of the Japanese population and government, through the JAICA Agency, and the assistance provided by each peace and freedom loving country in order to open their doors to us, by not turn their backs in order to save our lives. Today, we are consolidated as a democracy and we are acting as a responsible state by thanking also the role of our friends all over the globe, who were there for us during the most difficult moments of our history. From the time when we ourselves were refugees and forcibly displaced from our homes, until today when we in the Republic of Kosovo are doing everything to provide our contribution, we have demonstrated that dealing with refugee crises and related issues, such as asylum and migration, are permanent global challenges, to which the international community can respond only through spirit of human solidarity and by taking joint and coordinated action. The 1951 Refugee Convention remains the foundation on which a sustainable platform for the protection of refugee rights can be established. The establishment of the UNHCR, meanwhile, is the most powerful example of what we can achieve as states, nations and as individuals if we work together and in partnership with each other, in the name of sublime human values, such as the protection of those who for various reasons are forced to leave their homes. As we talk about the sensitive issue of refugees and we want to address it from a human rights perspective as well, let me underline another dimension: the protection of refugee’s touches upon not only the protection of life, but also protection of their dignity. As such, the protection of refugees is not only a matter of emergent provision of food and shelter, but also of legal guarantees for their rights and interests which have to be protected by each one of us, and by the international community at large – at times when they cannot enjoy protection from their governments which very often, are the main cause of crises and emigration and of human rights violations. Therefore, the role of international legal instruments, initially the Refugee Convention but also of other international human rights acts, are prime and irreplaceable conditions for the protection of the rights of refugees. Therefore, the organization of professional forums and debates with valuable experts, such as this forum co-organized by UNHCR and the Faculty of Law,

Statement of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, at the Summit for Democracy

Dear President Biden, Esteemed participants,   I speak to you as the President of the Republic of Kosovo, one of the youngest yet most vibrant democracies in the world.   Kosovo will soon mark 14 years of independence, but we have fought authoritarian and genocidal regimes for much longer than that. Democracy is in the fabric of our society, it is deeply entrenched in our historic struggle for freedom and human rights. And, as envisioned by our founding father, President Rugova, our Republic stands strongly on three pillars: freedom, independence, and democracy.   Kosovo today continues to thrive through free and fair elections, with peaceful transitions of power, unfettered media freedoms, and the highest standards of human rights enshrined in our constitution.   But, Democracy is never a finished or finite project. So today, I set out Kosovo’s commitments for strengthening and nurturing our democracy to ensure it stands the test of time. We will:   1.     Strengthen the rule of law through the full implementation of the Strategy on Rule of Law, and a vetting process that will instill integrity, impartiality and professionalism at the heart of our justice system. We commit to enacting and implementing advanced legislation to seize illicit wealth, impose a travel ban on foreign individuals involved in serious human rights abuses, clamp down on foreign governments’ funding for political parties and ban public institutions from using untrusted surveillance vendors.   2.     Bolster the role of women in our society by initiating proceedings to harmonize all relevant laws with the provisions of the law on gender equality, to guarantee women’s rightful place in public institutions and decision-making roles. We will also adopt a bold national strategy against gender-based violence to implement the Istanbul Convention, to halt this epidemic through prevention and protection, and increase minimum sentences to reflect the severity of the gender-based crimes.   3.     I will establish a Presidential Council on Democracy and Human Rights that will bring together public institutions and civil society to drive and monitor the implementation of our commitments. This council shows our long-term commitment to improving our democracy.   We must not take democracy for granted, and we must relentlessly protect it. Whether a big or small a country, we can all make a difference, especially if we join forces. We are, therefore, pledging to work with you all to deliver on our objectives, share best practices, counter Russian interference and propaganda, and promote peace around the world.   In this spirit, I will host a Global Summit for Women in Peace and Security in 2022 that will bring together leaders from around the world.   In the struggle between democracy and autocracy, history teaches us that appeasement of autocrats never works. Today is more than a Summit, it is our collective voice rejecting autocratic tendencies, and it is our collective voice standing up for democracy.   I want to thank President Biden for his leadership in this endeavor.   From the most pro-American nation on earth, thank you all, and goodbye.  

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