Kosovo’s Ombudsperson, Naim Qelaj, has sent a letter to the financing states of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, including the United States and other partner countries, forwarding the report titled “Preliminary Assessment of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers” prepared by the British organization Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales(BHRC), along with concerns raised on the basis of its findings.
The letter, sent through diplomatic channels, was addressed to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as well as the U.S. Department of Justice. It was also sent to the foreign ministers of Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, and Canada, in addition to senior European Union and Council of Europe officials, including Ursula von der Leyen, Kaja Kallas, Roberta Metsola, and other international representatives.
In the letter, Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj expressed concerns regarding guarantees for a fair trial in the proceedings of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, based on the findings of the BHRC report. He emphasized that the institution he leads has continuously monitored respect for fundamental rights and the detention conditions of detainees before the court.
According to him, the report raises serious concerns regarding respect for the right to a fair, transparent, and impartial trial, including fundamental principles such as the presumption of innocence, equality of arms, and the right to effective defense, all guaranteed by international human rights instruments and applicable in Kosovo through its Constitution.
The Ombudsperson stated that these standards are essential to the legitimacy and credibility of any international judicial mechanism and underlined the importance of the Specialist Chambers continuing to fully uphold them.
He also recalled that Kosovo has demonstrated commitment to international justice by establishing the Specialist Chambers through constitutional amendments and relevant legislation, as well as by fully cooperating with judicial proceedings, including the voluntary surrender of its political representatives.
In conclusion, the Ombudsperson stressed the importance of addressing the concerns raised, not only for the protection of the procedural rights of the accused but also for preserving the credibility and integrity of the judicial process itself.
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