BRUSSELS – “The Law adopted by the Kosovo Assembly amending and supplementing the Law on the Specialist Chambers goes against Kosovo’s international obligations towards the EU”, it was stated by the European External Action Service (EEAS).
The press release notes that the EU “has consistently supported the work of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers as an independent judicial institution established by decisions of the Kosovo Assembly in 2014–2015, operating within the Kosovo legal system and enshrined in Kosovo’s Constitution”.
“Their current mandate and independence must be fully respected. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers are rendering justice, based on the principle of individual criminal responsibility”, the press release remarks.
The EU calls on Kosovo to abide by its international obligations to ensure the Kosovo Specialist Chambers’ judicial independence, and the commitment to ensure accountability and to give justice to the victims and their families from all communities in Kosovo.
“Protection and safety of witnesses must be ensured”, the press release concludes.
Following a proposal by the Democratic Party of Kosovo, the Assembly of Kosovo adopted amendments to the Law on the Specialist Chambers in the second reading on 6 October.
As reported by Kosovo Online, the legislation enacts significant shifts in the mandate and functioning of the Hague-based court.
Among the most important changes are the adjustment of the court’s jurisdiction to cover the period from 1 July 1999 to 31 December 2000, and the introduction of a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
In addition, the changes envision transferring cases that are no longer within the competence of the Specialist Chambers to Kosovo institutions, as well as introducing the possibility of appealing to the Supreme Court of Kosovo on matters related to jurisdiction.
The amendments stipulate that convicted persons can serve a prison sentence in Kosovo, while in certain cases a presidential pardon would also be possible, Kosovo Online stated.
