Enforcing the rule of law in Kosova

Prishtina, 29 of October – Forum for Civic Initiatives (FIQ) and Saferworld in partnership with the Network for the Civilian Oversight of the Security Sector are organizing a series of debates with EULEX, institutions of Kosova and the civil society on the subject “Enforcing the rule of law in Kosova”. There have already been 5 debates in Peja, Gjilan, Ferizaj, Gjakova and Prizren, with participants from the civil society, citizens, media, and municipal officials, leaders of the legislative, executive and judicial governance; and from EULEX there were administrators of three components of this mission, Justice, Police and Customs.   Administrators of EULEX mission said in debates that their primary task is to monitor the rule of law, including consulting. “The law is a king, and everyone should obey it”, said the deputy-chief of EULEX mission, Alberto Perduca, in the debate held in Gjilan, on 20th October. Officials of this mission repeated figuratively in debates that Kosovars will be in the driver’s seat and they will be responsible for the decision they take, or refuse to take, and EULEX will support them, and will also have executive competencies defined by the mandate and law on defining the jurisdiction of judges and prosecutors of EULEX, approved by the Assembly of Kosova. The interest of participants was focused in the work that will be done by prosecutors and judges of EULEX in cases of heavy crimes, organized crime and corruption. Meanwhile, administrators of municipal and regional police, prosecutor’s office and judiciary said that since the time EULEX set foot in Kosova they have established correct relations and expect their cooperation in certain areas of this mission. This project is financially supported by the German and British Governments, and is part of the joint programme of FIQ and Saferworld, called “SafePlace”. Next debates will be held according to the calendar: in Obiliq on 31st of October; in Mitrovica on 6th of November, in Hotel “Palace”; in Prishtina on 10th of November, in Hotel “Grand”, and the date is yet to be confirmed for Graçanica.