Victims of the war crimes committed in Kosovo between 1998 and 1999, would be able to participate, through representatives, in the proceedings of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, KIM Radio reported.
The proceedings would take place in The Hague, while the victims of the war crimes would be able to, based on the court’s verdicts, receive compensations for the losses or injuries they had sustained.
The Court would determine as to who would obtain the status of a victim, while all persons who consider to be personally damaged would be able to seek that status from the court. This can happen only after the announcement of confirmed indictments that should be submitted by the Specialist Prosecutor Office David Schwendiman.
According to the Court Statute, any person, considering that he/she personally sustained physical, material or non-material damages as an immediate consequence of a criminal act from the confirmed indictment, can request the status of the victim.
The court also pointed out, that person wishing to be qualified as a victim would need to provide sufficient evidences about the damage he/she had suffered.
The claims, respectively applications for the status of the victim, need to be delivered to the Victims Participation Service before commencement of trial, however, it was not specified how long it should be done prior to the trial, KIM Radio further reported.
The victims, accepted to take part in the proceedings, depending upon the court’s decisions, would establish one or several groups, and would have representative to represent them before the court. The court secretariat should appoint representatives.
They would be tasked to regularly inform victims about proceedings, would be able to express stances, point out problems related to the proceedings and inform the judges about them, KIM radio reported.
After the end of the trial, the court council can make a decision on damages, losses or injuries the victims sustained and it can be a base for determining the compensation, however the Specialist Chambers will not determine the amount of the compensation for the damages, rather its verdicts would be bases for initiating proceedings to request compensation, KIM Radio reported.
