MDRI's Work in Kosovo

Our Kosovo project - our largest European undertaking to date
– has advanced the human rights of people with mental disabilities
by promoting improved international donor policies and helping develop a locally-based advocacy movement. In 2002, MDRI released Not on the Agenda: Human Rights of People with Mental Disabilities in Kosovo. This report exposed the existing “inhuman and degrading” dangers as well as the lack of basic rights protection among persons detained in institutions in Kosovo. Additionally, at least 50,000 people outside of institutions with mental disabilities are without community support systems and are left economically powerless and socially marginalized.

To fully implement the recommendations from our report and to create and support an environment for lasting reform in Kosovo, MDRI has helped to establish Kosovo Mental Disability Rights Initiative (K-MDRI) to provide direct on-site support to civil society advocates. In the last year, the results of MDRI’s work in Kosovo include:

• An announcement by the President of Kosovo that his government will close Shtime Institution and begin providing integrated community services to former residents. At his request, MDRI will provide technical assistance throughout this process. (Shtime is the largest facility housing persons with disabilities in Kosovo);
  
  
• Local non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) developing projects to promote the rights of people with mental disabilities and involving people with disabilities
  in implementation of those projects;
  
  
• Making available “Out of the Institution and You’re Home” in Albanian– an account of real life experiences of people with developmental disabilities who have transitioned from institutions to the community.  MDRI is using this as a training tool for grassroots groups, service providers and the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. This book will also be incorporated into curriculum at the University of Prishtina;
  
  
• The formation of the Kosovo National Council on Disability that will include
  people with mental disabilities and will be the main policy advisor on
  disability issues to the government;
  
  
• Training over 250 leaders in government, NGO’s, service provider sectors and university students, along with people with mental disabilities and their families, on the inclusion of people with mental disabilities in Kosovar society, mental disability rights advocacy and monitoring, on creation of appropriate services in the community, support and education for people with mental disabilities;
  
  
• Creation of a peer support group called “Ne Per Ne” (meaning “We for Ourselves”), a powerful movement of advocacy by people with intellectual disabilities– now probably the strongest movement in any country in Eastern or Central Europe. 
  
                      
  Read more about the Kosovo Mental Disability Rights Initiative