The head of the parliamentary group, Arbërie Nagavci, has published on her Facebook page the biography of one of the presidential candidates, Feride Rushti.
Nagavci noted, among other things, that Rushiti's leadership has also been recognized with important international awards such as the International Women Courage Award from the US Department of State, while in 2025 she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Full post:
Biography of Dr. Feride Rushiti, candidate for President:
Feride Rushiti is a prominent physician and human rights activist, one of the key figures in Kosovo and internationally in the field of rehabilitation of torture victims and survivors of sexual violence during the war. Born on September 12, 1970 in Kosovo, she graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Tirana, where she specialized in gastroenterology.
also
Rushiti: I accepted the candidacy only so that the country could get out of the political deadlock
Initially oriented towards a clinical career, the course of her life changed radically during the Kosovo war (1998–1999), when she served as a doctor in Albanian refugee camps in Albania, treating victims of violence, torture, and severe psychological trauma.
This experience became a turning point, guiding her towards a long-term commitment to justice, rehabilitation and human rights protection. Immediately after the war, in 1999, she founded and continues to lead the Kosovo Centre for the Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors (KRCT/QKRMT), the first organization of its kind in Kosovo, which was created to provide comprehensive support to victims of war. Under her leadership, KRCT has developed an integrated multidisciplinary model that includes medical treatment, psychosocial counselling, legal assistance and public policy advocacy, becoming one of the most advanced models in the region for the rehabilitation of victims of torture and war trauma.
Over more than two decades, her work has directly impacted the lives of over 18,000 beneficiaries, including thousands of survivors of wartime sexual violence, one of the most stigmatized categories in Kosovar society. Through a consistent and trauma-sensitive approach, she has been among the leading voices in breaking the silence and challenging social stigma, contributing to changing the public narrative from shame and silence to dignity, recognition and justice.
At the institutional and legal level, her contribution has been essential in advancing survivors’ rights. She played an active role in the advocacy processes that led to the 2014 legal changes that officially recognized survivors of wartime sexual violence as civilian victims of the war in Kosovo, as well as in the creation of state mechanisms for verification and financial benefits, which began to be implemented in 2017. In addition, she has contributed to the development of policies and practices for transitional justice, the documentation of war crimes, and the promotion of reparations for victims.
Her engagement also extends to the international level, where she has shared Kosovo’s experience as a model for countries dealing with the consequences of conflict, including Iraq, Ukraine and Colombia. She has collaborated with international organizations, academic institutions and global human rights mechanisms, contributing to advancing knowledge on trauma, rehabilitation and justice for victims of violence.
also
Nagavci: It was seen that Rushiti has the support of the deputies, invite the opposition to participate in tomorrow's session
Her work and leadership have been recognized with important international awards, including the prestigious International Women of Courage Award, awarded in 2018 by the U.S. Department of State, in recognition of her courage and dedication to defending human rights. In 2025, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, reflecting her far-reaching impact in promoting justice and dignity for victims of war.
Dr. Feride Rushiti remains one of the pioneers of transitional justice in Kosovo, building bridges between individual healing and social justice. Her mission is clear and enduring: to build a society where victims of war are treated with dignity, where justice is accessible, and where stigma is replaced with recognition, solidarity, and institutional accountability. Through her tireless work, she has contributed not only to the healing of thousands of individuals, but also to the transformation of Kosovar society itself towards a more just and humane culture.
