Kosovo Ombudsman calls for legal status for religious communities

The Ombudsman of Kosovo, Naim Qelaj, has issued an opinion calling for a legal framework to regulate the status of religious communities in the country. This follows a complaint from the Tariqat Community of Kosovo regarding the inability to declare specific religious affiliation during the 2024 Population Registration.

Qelaj noted that current legal gaps prevent an effective mechanism for religious communities to register and obtain legal personality. He stated that the current registration process does not fully guarantee the right to religious self-identification and fails to reflect Kosovo’s religious pluralism. By grouping various communities under the category of ‘Other,’ the state limits their institutional visibility and risks unequal treatment.

The Ombudsman has urged the Government and the Assembly of Kosovo to adopt a comprehensive, transparent, and non-discriminatory legal framework. This framework should align with the Constitution of Kosovo, the European Convention on Human Rights, and recommendations from the Venice Commission to ensure state neutrality and equal treatment for all religious groups.