Individual, harmful or necessary for Kosovo justice system

The vetting process in Kosovo's justice system could be counterproductive for the Judiciary, according to Supreme Court Chairman Enver Peci.

On the other hand, Florent Spahija, leader of the group of independent experts for modalities, accountability and vetoing, says this process could help improve Kosovo citizens' confidence in the justice system.

Vetting is the process of reevaluating the figures of prosecutors and judges, and is aimed at boosting their professional, fighting corruption and impacting organised crime, politics or other illegal elements in bringing justice.

Kosovo institutions, for several years now, are working for the beginning of the process of verifying judges and prosecutors, and not only, but so far this process has not begun.

The Justice Ministry has currently engaged a new group of independent experts who are drafting strategies for this process, which will then be sent to the Government of Kosovo by the end of October.

The group's leader, Florent Spahija, who comes from the Democratic Institute of Kosovo, tells Radio Free Europe that the drafts that are being written have to do with where to intervene for the justice system to have improvements.

The process of vetoing or reforming in justice is expected to take place together with [international] actors who have contributed to the justice system, Spahija says.

The “is something that would help us because of the expertise they have both in investigating the cases of judges and prosecutors, but even in investigating the realisation of vetoing in their countries”, he says.

The new group began working in August after earlier it was another group formed by the past (Alby Kurti), who had resigned. The previous group resigned after the new government demanded that the group expand with other experts.

Spahija also says that part of the working group, except the Judiciary and Prosecutorial Council, are other officials from the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, the Kosovo Police, as well as representatives from the American, British Embassy, EULEX, the OSCE, and the European Union Office.

I think this part already depends entirely on the government, after it gets the document how it will act. So, will it go away with that document or stop and have a document more in its” drawers, Spahija says.

Supreme Court Chairman Enver Peci considers that there are improvements in the judicial system, but he also needs further work.

“in this direction needs to strengthen internal mechanisms of the accountability and performance assessment judicial system. And, in this way I'm believing, maybe that classic vetoing as it's being called at the moment, in my opinion, is more contradictory than if we go to strengthening internal mechanisms”, says Peci.

Kosovo Judiciary Council chief Skender Kocaj says that in the judicial system, there is increased efficiency, transparency, but, according to him, there is an increase in cases of punishment.

He did not want to talk much about the work of the group of independent experts who are working on modalities, accountability and vetoing in the judicial system.

“As far as it comes to vetoing, we in working groups have sent the judges, [the representatives] you know is a huge group and I believe that these members that are on those commissions will say their word”, says Kocaj February.

The group of independent experts for modalisation, accountability and vetoing consider that the vetting process should be implemented in the Kosovo Police as well.

Kosovo Police General Director Rashit Qalaj tells Radio Free Europe that the process of vetoing Kosovo Police is welcome.

“ [Vetting] I think it's very necessary, I think it will grow, even trust and image of the police. This process also needs to happen in Kosovo's justice and police system”, Qalaj points out.

The need for the process of vetoing the justice system, police have often laid down nongovernmental organisations dealing with monitoring this sector.

Even according to the organisation, Kosovo Institute for Justice <x0); the situation in the justice system cannot change without a process of vetoing”.

The justice system in Kosovo has been constantly criticised for the inadequate inefficiency. Local and international organisations have warned about fighting organised crime and corruption.

The group for Jury and Political Studies has declared that political influences in the justice system are failing to fight corruption in Kosovo.

In the latest report of the US State Department published on March 20th, the World Human Rights Report for 2019 reportedly failed in Kosovo to effectively implement the law providing for corrupt officials. /rel/