4.3 Mission in Kosovo of the legal and policy framework related to the prevention of domestic and gender-based violence. The aim of the event was to promote the protection of individual rights affected by gender-based violence and to enhance co-operation between judicial and non-judicial stakeholders on domestic violencerelated issues. The roundtable discussion was attended by 20 participants, including judges, prosecutors, victim’s advocates, Office of Free Legal Aid representatives, KP representatives, as well as members of the Centre for Social Work, of the municipal assembly and of selected CSOs active in the protection of human rights of victims of domestic and gender-based violence. Upon conclusion of the workshop, the participants agreed that CSOs in co-operation with relevant judicial and non-judicial institutions need to play a more active role in fighting domestic and gender-based violence, by conducting an awareness-raising and information campaign targeting in particular rural areas with a primary focus on prevention measures. On 27 and 28 March, the Mission organized a specialized on-the-job training on methods to be used by first police responders at a domestic violence crime scene for two participants of the KP Domestic Violence Unit and Forensics Investigations Directorate. The training was delivered by the Swedish Police Authority at the Institute of Police Education at Linnaeus University in Sweden. The training covered initial actions to be carried out at a domestic violence scene, first responders’ division of responsibilities, handling of the perpetrator and the victim, securing the forensic evidence for criminal investigation, as well as documenting the initial interview with the victim through video recording. Additionally, the Swedish Police Authority familiarized the officers with best practices and procedures for first responders, domestic violence situation in Sweden and related development projects, honour related crimes and sexual offences within the close family. From 4 to 5 September, following this training, the Mission facilitated a two-day workshop on forensic and investigating standards for 25 first responders to domestic violence crime scenes of all police regions working on the investigation of domestic violence cases and forensics. The workshop aimed at presenting experiences and best practices acquired during the training and to identify gaps that need to be addressed by using the practices of the Swedish Police that can also be applied in Kosovo. Two police officers that attended the training in Sweden delivered presentations on experiences gained, Swedish practices and KP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on domestic violence cases. At the conclusion of the workshop, the group drafted recommendations, some of which involve the revision and amendment of police SOP on domestic violence cases, development of the official police risk assessment form and 66 its practical implementation, finalization of the checklist for first responders and investigators of domestic violence cases, and further training needed in this area. On 5 April, in Ferizaj/Uroševac, the DHRC of the Mission organized a workshop to discuss positive obligations of judges, prosecutors, police, victim advocacy officers, representatives from the Centre for Social Work, and the Women’s Shelters, when dealing with cases of sexual violence and crimes. The participants, in total 27, discussed related criminal offences under the current Criminal Code such as rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and facilitation and compelling to prostitution. The concluding part of the workshop emphasized best practices in the provision of rehabilitation and support for victims of sexual violence. On 13 April, in Ferizaj/Uroševac municipality, the DHRC of the Mission hosted the inaugural session of the Ferizaj/ Uroševac domestic violence co-ordination mechanism (DVCM). The event, opened by the Deputy Minister of Justice, the Kosovo-wide domestic violence co-ordinator and the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, saw the Ferizaj/ Uroševac deputy mayor, representatives of the KP, courts, prosecution, the municipal directors of health and education directorates, as well as representatives from the women’s shelter, Centre for Social Work, municipal hospital, Victim’s Advocacy Office, Free Legal Aid office, municipal officer for gender equality, and centre for mental health, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining the goals and responsibilities of the new DVCM. DVCM members also elected their co-ordinator for the upcoming year. This event, which gathered 56 participants, resulted from targeted advocacy activities of the DHRC. On 30 April, in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, the DHRC of the Mission organized a workshop to discuss positive obligations of judges, prosecutors, police and victim advocacy officers when dealing with criminal and civil cases of domestic violence. The participants discussed the respective roles of institutions and individuals in ensuring an appropriate handling of domestic violence cases before both the criminal and civil departments of the courts, as well as some of the existing shortcomings where improvements are required. The workshop emphasized best practices in obtaining the evidence necessary for a proper adjudication of cases by the courts, in the area of support for victims of domestic violence, and in increased inter-institutional co-operation. The Mission will continue with capacity-building activities for justice system actors, aiming to raise compliance with human and fair trial rights in judicial practices when dealing with cases involving domestic and gender-based violence. On 7 May, in Gjilan/Gnjilane, the DHRC of the Mission