Kosovo cannot investigate EULEX mission

His reaction followed the report of a day earlier to the Kosovo Parliament's Parliament's Commission for Legislation, former chief of EULEX mission judges Malcom Simmons, along which he said EU mission EULEX is also involved in many corruption, influence and manipulation cases.

Mr. Simmons, accused the mission of aimed at averting from the political scene of persons who were seen as an obstacle to talks between Kosovo and Serbia.

Mr. Simmons's report sparked reactions in Kosovo specifically by former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders who had faced judicial processes.

The EULEX mission in Kosovo dismissed as unsupported, untrue and personal opinions Mr. Simmons' statements as naming him “another attempt to discredit the Mission from those interested in obstructing the rule of law in Kosovo, as well as the European Union itself”.

In April 2015, European officials closed a four-month investigation process on allegations of corruption in the ranks of the EULEX Mission in Kosovo.

German Ambassador to Pristina praised E UELX for convincing and sweeping rejection of peace charges.

Former judge Simmons has said he is willing to publish his documents and testimony in the event Kosovo parliament decides to open a full investigation into the work of the EULEX mission.

But can EULEX's work be investigated?

Kosovo Institute for Justice Director Ehat Miftaraj said in a conversation with the Voice of America that Kosovo's parliament has hands tied to open any investigation into Mr Simmons's claim.

“in the first place, because Kosovo and the European Union have an international agreement through which the mission of EULEX, local and international staff have full immunity regarding any civil, criminal or administrative procedure against them. On the other hand, it has been widely known that the EU has conducted several investigations, some procedures related to not only Mr. Simmons' claims, but also other judges and prosecutors over allegations of corruption or, for worse, management in the EULEX mission”, he said.

Mr. Miftaraj says Kosovo institutions should close this chapter with Mr. Simmons or any other judge or prosecutor and stick to international pledges and obligations in the face of this mission. He says there is room for criticism for the work of the EULEX mission in Kosovo, but there is also progress.

Not only civil society in Kosovo, not only the public in Kosovo, but also international reports have criticised this mission due to lack of results, whether in the fight against organised crime or high-level corruption. Whatever. EULEX's merits should not be lost in strengthening Kosovo institutions, I speak here to judges, prosecutors, policemen, corrective service, that component of this mission to specialize in sharing their experiences with Kosovo's justice and security institutions is something that cannot be lost and can't be taken over by anyone”, said Mr Miftaraj.

EULEX was established in Kosovo following its declaration of independence from Serbia in February 2008. /Zeri America