Two months away from establishment of special court (Zeri)
The government of Kosovo on Saturday decided to present to the Assembly two constitutional amendments that will pave the way for the establishment of the special court. Prime Minister Isa Mustafa called on MPs to endorse these constitutional amendments, saying that the establishment of the special court will contribute to Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration. However, there is no specific date when this bill is to be put to vote at the Assembly as the paper writes that the draft-law is not expected to be completed before two months’ time. The Kosovo government has also decided to take over the legal expenses for those that could be accused by the special court.
US: Support for special court shows commitment to rule of law (Bota Sot)
The United States Embassy welcomed the decision of the Kosovo government to pass the constitutional amendments that are necessary for the establishment of the special court. “This is an important step towards fulfilling the commitments that Kosovo made in April 2014. It also shows the willingness of Kosovo to address the accusations against individuals. Support for the court will show Kosovo’s continuous commitment to the rule of law,” states the press release issued by US embassy.
Ethnic agreement on justice (Koha Ditore)
On the front page, the paper reports that both members of non-Serb minority communities and the opposition consider justice agreement between Pristina and Belgrade to be scandalous. The agreement only mentions two communities – Albanian and Serb – thus excluding other communities living in Kosovo. Representatives of non-Serb minority communities did not rule out addressing the Constitutional Court for interpretation on whether the agreement has violated the Constitution of Kosovo and Law on Courts. At the same time, Vetevendosje’s Ilir Deda said the agreement at hand is unconstitutional and discriminating as according to its provisions, only members of the Albanian and Serb communities can serve as judges and prosecutors in the north which, added Deda, is a prohibition of the equal right to employment to other communities.
Prime Minister Mustafa visits Albania (Zeri)
Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, will travel today to Albania, at the invitation of Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama. Accompanied by Deputy Prime Ministers Hashim Thaci and Kujtim Shala, Mustafa will also meet Albania’s President, Bujar Nishani, Assembly Speaker Ilir Meta and opposition leader Lulzim Basha.
Women demand more power and rights (dailies)
The Assembly of Kosovo on Sunday held a solemn session to mark the International Women’s Day. Women MPs from Kosovo, Albania, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and women leaders from Montenegro and Presevo Valley took part in this session. Women politicians demanded more power and rights and expressed their dissatisfaction with current position and representation of women in decision-making bodies.
Kosovo Government to discuss contentious street in Ranillug (Koha)
The paper writes that the initiative of Ranillug/Ranilug Mayor Gradimir Mikic to give a street in his municipality the name of the late Serbian dictator, Slobodan Milosevic, has caused a lot of reactions and the Government of Kosovo is expected to discuss the issue today. While Mikic refused to comment on his proposal saying that the media are distorting his statements, Vetevendosje has called for his immediate dismissal.
War veterans to protest on Wednesday (Zeri)
The former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fighters will protest on Wednesday, demanding the publication of war veterans’ lists and the implementation of the draft law on war veterans. The Council for the Protection of Rights of KLA fighters, who is organizing this protest, said that they will be unable to control the protest and warned that it could turn violent.
