Freedom House Justice Report: Political interference in the judiciary remains a problem

Not rarely, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Justice Minister Albulen Haxhiu have physically attacked the judiciary. Whenever the Special Prosecutor has especially taken action to investigate or accuse any ruling party official, or any other person who in one way or another relates to power, Prime Minister Kurti and other exhibitors, fail to say anything about prosecutors and judges.

As these attacks seem to have been recorded in the latest Freedom House report, which clearly states that political interference in the judiciary remains a problem.

Political interference in the judiciary remains a problem, and widespread judicial corruption negatively affects the judiciary's independence. Restrictions of resources and the lack of qualified judges also undermine the performance of the judiciary. ”

There are even more specific criticisms there, citing the impact of the <x0 political establishments”, of businesses.

“Procurators and courts remain sensitive to political interventions and corruption by powerful political and business elites, damaging the regular legal process. ”

Another problem in the judiciary has been recorded in this report, which is often noted by local observers, especially if we consider the Special Court.

The long stay in custody without a cause for regoncing the non-efficitists in the judiciary is said there.

“Law says defendants should not be kept in custody before trial, unless they are likely to escape or manipulate evidence, judges often order suspects to be detained without cause. Long detentions are common because of judicial inefficiency and resource restrictions. It says there.

The report also mentions terrorist organisations such as the Civil Protection and the Northern Brigade, which are said to be operating illegally.

“Even though the EU brokered an agreement in 2015 between Kosovo and Serbia to dismantle Serbian security force Civilna Zastita (Civil Protection) in northern Kosovo, there have been reports that the force has continued to operate illegally. In June 2023, the government declared Civil Protection and the North Brigade, both operating in the north as a terrorist organization. ”

The problem also turns out to be the conduct of police and guards during detention, according to the report, police often resort to violence against the detainees.

Prison conditions have improved in recent years, but violence and poor medical care remain problems. Police sometimes abuse detainees in custody. ”

Discrimination against women, especially in leading organs, as always is part of the problems of Kosovo society, which are also identified in the report.

“Grave experience discrimination in employment, especially in terms of employment for high positions in government and private sector. The Law on Gender Equality aims to ensure that the management boards of private companies have gender equality, but this has not been widely implemented.

Otherwise, the ruling Kurt government had come under the motto: Justice and Employment. Even though it has been more than three years since Kurt's coming to power, justice in the country, even according to international reports, is continuing to break.