Disagreement Over the Bill on Amnesty

The chairman of this commission, Albulen Haxhiu, abstained after saying her vote on the bill poses conflict of interest.

If I take the position in this report, it is a conflict of interest, because it falls directly, or deals with political actions, which we have undertaken at last term hearings, in an effort to stop demarcation and Zajednica. So I will not be released, or vote for, because of the conflict of interest. If this bill is prosecuted in the session, we should have an opinion from the Anti-Corruption Agency, if the support of this bill, the vote against this bill constitutes conflict, to have it officially. Since we don't, since we're in such circumstances, I can't give up my” vote, she said.

Meanwhile, the member of this commission from the Initiative's ranks, Bilal the Sheriff, said such a law is needed to conclude a chapter of an extremely frustrated situation, when in the Kosovo Assembly, the opposition opposed demarcation by gas dropping.

“This law was meant to achieve an overpassion, of a situation that has been extremely irritated during the period, when the then opposition opposed the ratification of demarcation and the association agreement. We have now considered that these situations have been overcome and I have supported the idea and initiative to prosecute a law through which that part of Kosovo's parliamentary history will be completed. With the idea that in the future we're going back to call her undemocratic, because I don't want to, because in the end, I've been part of that way of opposition, and for me too, she's been in democratic frameworks. Something beyond democracy. I don't see they were unacceptable means, in the function of achieving a political goal. Yet, we must keep in mind. During the exercise of that ositary activity, laws have been violated. We all know that we have violated laws, and always violations of the law must be concluded by one law. The amnesty law is usually used to overcome such situations, which are created after divisions”, he said.

Meanwhile Hajdar Beqa, a member of this commission from the PDK ranks, said he supports this law and that it is easier to support it, as he himself has not fired gas.

“It's legally condemned, gas-throwing, or keeping those tools is legally condemned. We have initiative by 11 MPs, which is ready by all political parties, that have signed most of the different political parties. I as deputy support this bill, at this stage to move on. But I have a concrete proposal. Maybe I'll do it with an amendment, because then we'll create another situation. When it is during August 25, 2015, May 10, 2017. We've had cases, and in 2018, when you throw gas at the Kosovo Assembly and create an inappropriate situation, for a period of forgiveness for a period of no forgiveness. It also grows until March 2018. From August 25th 2015 to March 2018, until the day it passed the demarcation with Montenegro. I support this phase. I haven't fired gas, I don't feel guilty, and it's easy to support”, he said.

Sami Kurteshi from the VV said he is still convinced that the time has passed for such objections in the Parliament. He said that if the Assembly came the agreement for association, then not all MPs would accept it.

“Faza cycle of conscientious political opposition, of what tear gas is used, which is, I think has not been politically passed. I am not fully convinced that there is no time, or that there has been a time for rejecting actions within the Kosovo Assembly, of the laws or of the agreements that have been passed. If an agreement or law for the establishment of a community comes back to this Parliament that Serbian municipalities, which is even more dangerous than demarcation, I don't think all MPs will accept it that easily. And I can't imagine, there will be deputies in the country that will oppose it with all forms. Of course, using tear gas is not democratic. It has been an extraordinary situation, but yet such a violation seems smaller to me than a violation to cross these” agreements, he said.

But the answer to that came from Bilal the Sheriff, who said the association will not come to the Assembly and that he will enter into force, as soon as approved by the Government.

“Samie Sée knows if he spoke on behalf of the VV, or in his personal name, that he did not guarantee that there are no more subjects to be used for. You don't have to be clear. If there are dilemmas like this, then it's pointless and debate over it. This is not only being done to free MPs that some are now and ministers from responsibility. But it's about closing a chapter. And secondly, association doesn't come to the Assembly anymore. I'm seeing a lot of it that they're putting this on and the media on copyrights and debates. The association, the Constitutional Court, has rendered its own act, and the Government of Kosovo on the basis of that act will draft an association that will not come to the assembly. It will take effect from the moment the government approves it, just as Government” approves, he said.

Meanwhile, Korab Sejdiu voted against this bill, claiming it opposed the amnesty bill.

The Parliamentary Group opposes passing this amnesty law, because I do not consider it the right way to address the issue. I wanted to keep going a little bit and personal. I think this law exceeds and its purpose, because the same purpose could be achieved in court procedures. Especially given that these are criminal acts that are deliberately committed cannot be carried out by carelessness”, he said.