The launch of this program was attended by US Ambassador to Kosovo, Mr Greg Delawie, Chair of the Kosovo Judicial Council, Mr Nehat Idrizi, Chief State Prosecutor, Aleksandër Lumezi, and Chair of Crime Victim Compensation Commission, Ms Nesrin Lushta.

In her speech Minister Hoxha said, “the work and the process for crime victim compensation started years ago, when the Ministry of Justice foresaw the regulation of this issue in the Strategic Development Plan 2012-2016”. In order to regulate this issue, the Ministry of Justice acted in accordance with the mandate stipulated by the legislation in force, first by analyzing in detail the issue of crime victim compensation and then by drafting and approving the Concept Paper from which the Law on Crime Victim Compensation, adopted in 2015, was derived. “The program we are launching today guarantees the opportunity of compensation for crime victims, namely victims of criminal offenses, such as: murder, trafficking in human beings, rape, sexual abuse of children, as well as criminal offenses that fall within the definition of domestic violence under the Law on Protection Against Domestic Violence”, said Minister Hoxha.

As for the beginning of this process, Minister Hoxha said, “I am very happy that we have succeeded in starting this process because bringing this program to life has been one of my priorities as Minister of Justice. It is launched also thanks to the contribution of the United States Embassy in Kosovo, whose representatives I would like to thank cordially for the continuous support they are giving to the people and institutions of the Republic of Kosovo”.

“Speaking about crime victims clearly is not among the easy topics. This issue becomes even more difficult given the fact that the suffering of crime victims affects us all as persons responsible for the institutions we lead, but first and foremost it affects us as citizens of the Republic of Kosovo”, said Ms. Hoxha.

Minister Hoxha addressed the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo urging them not to be afraid but to raise their voice against crime and evil. The voice of crime victims should be the voice of all of us for justice and equality, for values against evil, and for peace and equality against crime and injustice.

At the end of her speech, Minister Hoxha thanked the participants and at the same time encouraged crime victims stating “the right to file a compensation claim from the victim compensation program is starting, therefore I encourage victims of the abovementioned criminal offenses for which the judicial process has been completed by a final decision starting from 30 June 2016 to contact the Victim Compensation Commission”. In addition, the Minister requested from the Commission members to take into consideration that by respecting crime victims we respect undeniable human values for which our society has not and will never compromise on.