The Faculty of Law at the University of Tetova today organized a panel discussion in honor of December 10, International Human Rights Day. In this activity participated: act. Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Reshat Qaili, Vice-Rector for Education, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, President of the Senate, Prof. Dr. Kushtrim Ahmeti, University professors, deans and students.

Meanwhile, part of the panel were: Mr. Bekim Mehmedi – President of the Appellate Court, Mr. Jim Lofton – Law Specialist and a Fulbright Program professor from the USA, Ms. Suzana Saliu – Deputy ombudsman, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Musliu professor at the Faculty of Law and head of the Institute for Human Rights and Mrs. Njomza Osmani – assistant professor and head of the legal clinic within the Faculty of Law.

Before the panel discussion was opened, attendees watched an animated video, which contained a symbolic message about domestic violence, which has unfortunately increased during the pandemic and posed a challenge to the judiciary, which is responsible for combating it.

Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Qebir Avziu, in his occasion speech thanked the participants for their presence and contribution given over the years to build this temple of knowledge. “We are very honored today that a large number of representatives of the judiciary have come to the Faculty of Law. They have honored us as a university, and also have honored the Faculty of Law, but in a special way I want to thank and thank Professor Milaim Fejziu for all the contribution that he has given for the foundation of this University. I also want to greet the Vice-Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti for the foundation of this University, especially in the last decade. I thank all those who contributed to the foundation and development of this University. We, the new generations I believe that we will continue with the same pace, maybe even at a faster pace the establishment of this temple of knowledge. Thank you for being present and I wish the panelists good work”.

The panelists, as experts and professionals on justice and human rights issues, shared with the audience their views on human rights and justice during the Covid-19 pandemic.

They said that people should demand more of their freedoms and rights, as they are guaranteed by the constitution. This year the emphasis was on the pandemic, which has significantly increased the human rights violations. During the pandemic, a series of decrees and orders were received from the competent bodies dealing with the restriction and freedom of human rights that had a negative impact. According to the panelists, every individual should condemn the violation, or restriction of human rights, as freedom is the basic principle of human rights.

World Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10 – the day when the United Nations General Assembly, in 1948, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was signed by 56 member states (UDHR). The UDHR is a historical document proclaiming the inalienable rights of every human being – regardless of race, color, religion, gender, language, political or other beliefs, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

This event was concluded through the conversation of the panelists and attendees, mainly students, who were quite curious to get different information about the relevant topic.