After Kosovo Assembly adopted legislation to extend the mandate of EULEX and establish a special court to investigate war crimes committed by the former KLA, Kosovo Serb representatives estimated that the establishment of the Special Court may significantly affect the reconciliation between Serbs and Albanians.
Jasmina Zivkovic, President of the Parliamentary Committee on the Rights and interests of the communities, from Independent Liberal Party (SLS) believes that the establishment of the court will be a part of the development of Kosovo society. “This should not be an obstacle. This should not be either understood as something that must be carried out and completed, under the international influences. I truly believe that there will be justice and truth,” said Zivkovic.
On the other side Nexhmedin Spahiu, a political analyst believes that if someone does not want a special court directly stands at the side of offenders. “As long as this society cannot incorporate the legal system which would process everything automatically, we have no moral right to say “we don’t want establishment of the court”. We do not need to defend criminals, but should defend the victims,” said Spahiu.
According to Branimir Stojanovic, Gracanica Mayor from CI ‘Srpska’, there is a chance for reconciliation after the adoption of the decision on the establishment of the special court. That’s how the Serbs could eventually live freely and equally with the others. “There is a hope, as first for the families of those who died and families of missing persons. They will find out who were the people who committed the crimes.”
Political analyst Ardian Arifaj believes that the law on establishing the special court was adopted under pressure. “All ambassadors in Pristina explicitly requested to adopt this law. On the other hand, as we have heard from all political parties and MPs who have voted for the adoption almost all agreed that this is not good for Kosovo. However, we had to vote for the adoption, because it was required from us,” said Arifaj.
