European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said amendments to the law governing the Kosovo Specialist Chambers violate Kosovo’s fundamental obligations towards the European Union (EU). She called the changes unacceptable on October 12 in Luxembourg.
Kos criticised lawmakers for changing legal rules while judicial proceedings remain underway. She warned that candidate countries cannot join the EU if they move backwards on the rule of law.
The Assembly of Kosova approved the amendments last week. The Democratic Party of Kosova proposed them five days after the September 16 verdict that sentenced former president Hashim Thaçi and 3 other former Kosova Liberation Army leaders to a combined 81 years in prison for war crimes. All 4 maintained their innocence throughout the trial.
The amendments would narrow the court’s jurisdiction, reduce the maximum prison sentence to 15 years and allow appeals to Kosova’s Supreme Court. They would also permit prisoners to serve their sentences in Kosova.
Meanwhile, the EU and Germany have defended the court’s independence. The Democratic Party of Kosova rejected the EU’s criticism, while Prime Minister Albin Kurti called the changes rushed and insufficiently analysed.
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