EU and German embassy raise concern after Kosovo parliament approves changes to Specialist Chambers law
Brussels and Berlin say the changes, approved by parliament, undermine the independence of the Specialist Chambers in The Hague and conflict with Kosovo’s international obligations.
The European Union and Germany's embassy in Pristina voiced sharp concern after Kosovo's parliament approved amendments to the law governing the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, moves that Brussels says conflict with Kosovo’s international commitments to the EU.
Changes narrow remit and introduce pardons, critics say
The amendments, passed on Tuesday evening, narrow the Specialist Chambers’ jurisdiction, reduce maximum penalties and create a possibility for pardons. Lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Kosovo put forward the changes; they were adopted after the party of Prime Minister Albin Kurti gave its backing in return for support in the vote to elect the new head of state, Justina Shiroka-Pula.
“We call on Kosovo to respect its international obligations to guarantee the judicial independence of the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo, as well as its commitment to delivering accountability and providing justice to victims and their families from all communities in Kosovo,” the EU spokesperson said.
The EU spokesman added that the bloc supports the work of the Specialist Chambers as independent judicial institutions and stressed that their independence must be fully respected. He emphasised that the Specialist Chambers pursue justice based on the principle of individual criminal responsibility.
Concern about the legislative changes was echoed by the German embassy in Kosovo. “For the Specialist Chambers to fulfil their mission of delivering accountability and justice for victims from all communities in Kosovo, their independence must be fully respected. We are following the amendments to the Law on the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo with deep concern,” said Katalin Hajne, spokesperson for the German embassy in Kosovo.
The parliamentary vote has already sparked public demonstrations in Kosovo in support of former UÇK leaders. The political deal that helped pass the amendments — between the Democratic Party of Kosovo and Kurti’s party — also secured backing for Justina Shiroka-Pula’s election as president.
Photo: EPA/ARBEN LLAPASHTICA
