16 minutes agoEULEX urges Serbs to return to Kosovo institutions
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)The European Union for Rule of Law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) has welcomed the reduction of tensions in the country's north and the restoration of freedom of movement for all those living and working in four northern municipalities after the removal of illegal barricades. But, EULEX has said that the security vacuum and the rule of [...]
But, EULEX has said that the vacuum of security and rule of law following the Serb resignation from institutions in the north can only be partially met by this mission.
EULEX has called for the parties to return to relevant dialogue agreements regulating the integration of the Serb community into the Kosovo Police and the judiciary, considering the issue as essential, Express reports.
“However, the security vacuum and rule of law created following the resignations of Kosovo Serb policemen, prosecutors, judges and staff continue. E ULEX can only partially complete this vacuum through increased presence on the ground, but the Mission cannot replace the Kosovo Police or any other authority of rule of law. Therefore, the return to relevant dialogue agreements regulating integration into the Kosovo Police and the judiciary is essential”, said the communique.
On the other hand, it is said that within the limits of his mandate, the mission will continue to work decisively to support Kosovo's stability, as well as the security of all its communities.
To this end, EULEX will closely monitor relevant investigations and any subsequent legal procedure to promote respect for human rights. In this respect and for Kosovo's judiciary and police to support the rule of law and toʹi exercise their responsibilities independently under Kosovo law and international law without interference or political intimidation or other forms, it is of vital importance that decisions taken by individual judges and prosecutors, as well as by the police, in the name of their institutions be rejected only in terms of the legal merit base of those decisions” are said in the EULEX communique.
Otherwise, Serbs in the four northern municipalities resigned from Kosovo institutions in early November this year, following Kosovo and Serbia's disputes over the license plate issue. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has warned of opening a competition to meet these positions.
Full communication:
The European Union for Rule of Law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) welcomes the reduction of tensions in the northern part of Kosovo and the restoration of freedom of movement for all those living and working in four northern municipalities after the removal of illegal barricades.
From the day the barricades were set up until the day of their departure, EULEX supported Kosovo's rule of law institutions in maintaining Kosovo's stability and the security of all its communities in close co-ordination with Kosovo Police and with KFOR.
Since early November, E ULEX responded to the official demands of the Kosovo Police, saying:
Significantly added to its surveillance patrols 24/7 and starting foot patrols by members of the Specialised Police Unit and its Specialised Reserve Unit in the northern part of Kosovo to monitor the security situation on the ground closely.
He sent essential supplies to Kosovo Police officers at the Joint Cross Pass to Jarinje on 17 December.
He accompanied Kosovo Police regular officers to make the switch and replace of regular police officers at the Leposaviq police station on December 24th.
In line with his mandate, which envisions a powerful monitoring of the entire chain of justice, EULEX is also closely monitoring the D.P. case. to assess how this case is being handled by Kosovo authorities.
In particular, Mission:
He went on to protect the basic rights of D. P. by Kosovo authorities.
It facilitated the transportation of D.P. drugs.
He conducted two medical examinations of D. P. December 17th and 24th, at the request of Kosovo authorities responsible.
He offered support to the Kosovo Police for the transfer of the D.P. in his residence on December 28th, following an official request by the Kosovo authorities and in line with the decision to deploy the D.P. in house arrest.
However, the security vacuum and rule of law established following the resignations of Kosovo Serb policemen, prosecutors, judges and staff continues. E ULEX can only partially complete this vacuum through increased presence on the ground, but the Mission cannot replace the Kosovo Police or any other authority of rule of law. Therefore, the return to relevant dialogue agreements regulating integration into the Kosovo Police and the judiciary is essential.
Within the limits of his mandate, the mission will continue to work decisively to support Kosovo's stability as well as the security of all its communities.
To that end, EULEX will closely monitor relevant investigations and any subsequent legal procedure to promote respect for human rights.
In this respect and for Kosovo's judiciary and police to support the rule of law and toʹi exercise their responsibilities independently under Kosovo law and international law without interference or political intimidation or other forms, it is of vital importance that decisions taken by individual judges and prosecutors, as well as by police, on behalf of their institutions be rejected only in terms of the legal merit of these decisions.
