Laws Lacking Kosovo

Albulen Haxhiu, deputy in the Kosovo Parliament by the Vetevendosje Movement, told Radio Free Europe that there are many laws that have not been adopted by the past legislature.

After completing the mandate of the last decision, the same laws return to zero, while there are many other laws pending and await review and approval in the Assembly.

According to Haxhiu, the Law on confiscating property acquired in unwarranted ways, but other laws must be prosecuted if there is proper political will to have them adopted.

We will focus more on laws dealing more with fighting corruption, organised crime, but without excluding other issues involving the rule of law. Of course, we will contribute much to amendments to various bills that will be prosecuted in the Kosovo Assembly. Clearly, what it needs is economic development, prosperity, equality and justice”, Haxhiu said.

MP Haxhiu also said that many laws which are necessary are not envisioned in the government plan, and that, according to her, poses concern.

“They have not had a prioritization of the legislative or governing programme because they have had the interest of accommodated personal ambitions of individuals within this government”, Haxhiu said.

Meanwhile, Ahmet Isufi, chief of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo Parliamentary Group, said the laws that have remained from the past legislature, but other laws should be approved prioritised, since, according to him, Kosovo can function even better. He said that without a good standardised and functional legal basis in the sense of implementing laws, obstacles will be presented in the functioning of certain institutions.

“is the time for budget review, as well as the Law on Religion and other laws that need to be passed as quickly as possible so that Kosovo can function by adopting, changing and fulfilling these” laws, Isufi said.

While MP from the ranks of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Armend Zemaj, told Radio Free Europe that any law is of particular importance, but, according to him, priority should be given laws dealing with European integrations.

The rules that connect with European integrations, but others, whether related to rule of order and law in the country, are all important. There are some who have remained in procedure and have been important laws and now depend on the new agenda that Government brings, but which (the legislative agenda) is not yet before the Assembly. There are some laws, especially from the field of justice that have been in procedure, but other laws that have been attempted to be met and changed, as is the Law on the Criminal Code and for religious freedoms”, Zemaj said.

“Viti 2018 is the year in which some laws were supposed to start implementing, especially in terms of security and justice system”, said deputy Zemaj.

The Kosovo Assembly during its past term has faced one of the most difficult periods of its operation and, as a result, have remained many laws not adopted.

The past legislature has failed to meet even the European Union's latest visa liberalisation criteria, which was ratification of border demarcation with Montenegro.