IKD: Police not to issue proof of criminal past

The IKD has also called on public institutions to stop citizens' obligation to be equipped with these claims because it also has been identified with criminal broadcasts and investigative procedures, which in some form violate the principle of the Kosovo Constitution that everyone is innocent until proven by a formal form of judgment.

Gzim Shala from this institute at a media conference, said it is illegal by institutions seeking this confirmation from Kosovo citizens, as it violates judicial security.

The “What is the particular emphasis of this report is the confirmation of the criminal past, which is issued by Kosovo Police for its citizens. The Kosovo Institute for Justice has provided such a request and on its contents has demanded clarification by Kosovo Police. Kosovo police have told us that this confirmation of the criminal past is issued to citizens of the Republic of Kosovo at their request”, he said.

Likewise, Shala said that the ombudsman is also being taken into account.

Yll Zekiaj from the IKD said the confirmation of the criminal passage issued by Kosovo Police is persecution and violates the legal security of citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. That's why, The IKD has come up with recommendations for institutions that issue such claims.

Kosovo's “Police give up on issuing these claims, as it cannot be based on the law's provision for police because we have definitely Article 98 of the Kosovo Criminal Code, which determines exactly what to hold criminal records for Kosovo citizens. The Kosovo Judiciary Council must amend the regulation for maintaining criminal evidence and harmonise it with the Kosovo Criminal Code and, respectively, to lift fine sentences as part of criminal evidence. Public institutions should also prohibit the duty of citizens to be equipped with these claims because it has been identified with criminal records, investigative procedures which in some form violate the principle of the Constitution of Kosovo that everyone is innocent until proven by an act of formal form. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has to lobby in two directions of the embassy and consulates we have in various states so that they don't ask citizens for confirmation of criminal castration”.

The Kosovo Institute for Justice called on institutions to be careful when it comes to issuing this confirmation.

The IKD has been urging the ombudsman to issue an ex-officio report, where he should recommend the Kosovo Police from now on not to issue proof of the past.