6 minutes agoUS and UK Embassys Disillusioned by KDR Transparency Lack
Periskopi(9 years ago)
(9 years ago)The embassy of the United Kingdom and of the United States The United States, through a statement, has expressed disappointment with the process of appointment by the Kosovo Judiciary Council, broadcasts Koha.net. The U.K. and the United States Embassy are aware of recent appointments by the Kosovo Judiciary Council. [...]
The U.K. and the United States Embassy are aware of the recent appointments by the Kosovo Judiciary Council of the Court of Appeals, as well as the Supreme Court's chairman after the failure by the Constitutional Court of the previous appointment process.
Following the Constitutional Court's decision, representatives of our embassies suggested to the KDR improvements it could make in its procedures for appointment to build confidence in public opinion in the justice system. We welcome the fact that after reviewing regulations, the Judiciary Council has approved some of these proposals. However, as we have let the KDR know even then, we are disappointed with the decision to keep the vote secret. We believe that the open vote would send strong signal of the KDR's commitment to the principles of transparency, merityocracy and accountability.
Unfortunately, seeing the repeated selection process for these positions from our angle has brought us back to question the KDR's sincere devotion to these principles. The lack of any significant discussion on candidate merits on the narrow list means that one member of the public who has followed these processes cannot understand why a candidate is preferred before another. The written reasoning given by the KRC then does not correct that impression at all. We need to stress that our concern concerns transparency of the process, not separate candidates.
Building the trust of Kosovo's citizens in the justice system does not only mean that procedures are in line with the Constitution. It also concerns the assurances that the process of recruiting, selection and appointment has been established and developed in such a way that they maximumise transparency of decision making. Given the crucially important position the KDR takes in Kosovo's justice system, it must lead by example. This calls for the commitment of all members of the KDR and powerful leadership by the Master.
We expect to work with the KDR to advance in achieving this.
