We are deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent tragic incident in Gjakova, where a young 4-year-old girl lost her life under circumstances that suggest a grievous lapse in medical care and potential discrimination. This devastating event has not only left a family in unbearable grief but has also raised significant concerns about the standards of medical practice and the safeguarding of children’s rights within our society.
The little girl, reportedly a member of an ethnically marginalised minority, was subjected to a violent assault, sustaining injuries that required immediate and careful medical attention. Unfortunately, the allegations suggest that the medical response she received was grossly inadequate, raising questions about whether factors such as ethnic discrimination played a role in the level of care provided.
Such incidents strike at the heart of our society’s values and the trust we place in our healthcare systems to offer protection and care to all individuals, regardless of their background or ethnicity. It is imperative that this tragic loss prompts a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances leading to this young girl’s death, including an examination of the healthcare responses she received.
We call upon local and national authorities to take immediate action to investigate this matter fully. It is crucial that this investigation is conducted transparently, holding any parties found negligent accountable for their actions. Furthermore, this incident must serve as a catalyst for systemic changes within our healthcare and social systems to ensure that every child receives the care and protection they deserve.
As we call for justice and systemic review, we emphasise the paramount importance of respecting the privacy and dignity of the victim’s family during this painful time. Media outlets and individuals discussing this case are urged to do so with the utmost sensitivity and to avoid any publication or reporting that could further harm the grieving family. Their right to privacy must be protected, ensuring they are allowed to mourn and seek justice without undue public intrusion or speculation.
We express our deepest condolences to the family!
Human Rights Network members:
Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo (YIHR KS)
HANDIKOS
Center for Equality and Liberty (CEL Kosova)
Kosovo Law Institute (KLI)
Kosovo Center for Gender Studies (KCGS)
Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians (VoRAE)
New Social Initiative (NSI)
