Headlines - 09.04.2014

Tribunal is inevitable, better to vote on it in parliament (Koha Ditore)

In a front-page interview for the paper, EU Special Representative in Kosovo Samuel Zbogar said the EU realizes how difficult it is for Kosovo to address the establishment of a special court that would look into allegations made in Dick Marty’s report. Zbogar also said that the establishment of the tribunal is now inevitable and there are two choices: either through the EU with Kosovo’s approval or, if Kosovo rejects the tribunal, then the United Nations Security Council would establish a UN special tribunal.

Zbogar said it would be better for Kosovars to agree with the tribunal because the court would operate within Kosovo’s judicial system and one part would operate in an EU country with international judges. The second option – a tribunal established by the United Nations – would imply an endless process in the hands of the UN.

“Most importantly, the tribunal will address individual cases and is in no way aimed against Kosovo or the Kosovo Liberation Army,” Zbogar added. “Despite all difficulties, I strongly believe that members of Kosovo’s Parliament will click on the Yes button and will realize that by clicking Yes or No, this issue will not be avoided. By saying Yes, Kosovo will take the process in its hands,” Zbogar said.

Cliff: Court under EULEX umbrella (Tribuna)

British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ian Cliff, said the war crimes tribunal will be a Kosovar court under the EULEX umbrella and will operate in accordance with Kosovo laws. Cliff said the court should have international judges and prosecutors, and be based in Kosovo and the Netherlands. “The British Government believes it is absolutely necessary to establish the court which is not aimed against Kosovo or the Kosovo Liberation Army. The court will handle individual crimes,” Cliff said.

President Jahjaga to summon parties on the tribunal (Tribuna)

Citing unnamed sources, the paper reports that President Atifete Jahjaga is expected to summon representatives of political parties in an effort to build a broad-based consensus on the mandate of EULEX and the special court. “Another option is for the President to meet representatives of political parties in parliament. She can do so by using her constitutional competencies and seek consensus among all political forces in parliament,” the source added.

Krasniqi: Politics to blame for tribunal, not KLA (Epoka e Re)

Kosovo Parliamentary Speaker Jakup Krasniqi said on Thursday that the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) is not to blame for the eventual establishment of the tribunal that will address war crimes allegations. “I am confident that the KLA should not be blamed for the current discussions on the special court. The responsibility stems from the post-war period. After the war, Kosovo institutions should have strengthened the judicial system. Part of the blame falls on international institutions that had a major influence on the judicial system,” Krasniqi added.

Disagreements prevented an EU tribunal (Tribuna)

In a front-page report, the paper notes that the initial idea was to establish a European tribunal that would address war crimes allegations made in Dick Marty’s report. However, the five non-recognizing member states of the European Union and other countries were against the creation of new EU mechanisms. They requested for the establishment of a court that would be under the EULEX umbrella to prevent the establishment a new European mechanism. The paper also notes that if Kosovo’s Parliament fails to adopt the request to have the EU establish the court, possible scenarios that would result include a tribunal established through the UN Security Council or as a special court within the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary General.

One tribunal for all crimes in Kosovo (Lajm)

The Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) requested that a tribunal be established for all crimes committed in Kosovo, with one for victims of violence. It looks like the tribunal is taking the shape and it would gain two thirds of votes and be legalized in the Kosovo Assembly, said CDHRF yesterday. The Kosovo Assembly will vote to continue the EULEX mandate and for the establishment of the Kosovo tribunal, otherwise this will be undertaken by the UN Security Council.

OSCE hails declaration of the Assembly (Lajm)

The head of the OSCE mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean Claude Schlumberger, hailed the Kosovo Assembly yesterday for approving the partnership declaration with civil society in the regular session on 3 April 2014. Schlumberger believes that the Assembly’s decision is of great importance for furthering democratic development in Kosovo. The implementation of the declaration would lead to the increased involvement of NGOs in lawmaking and in monitoring the Government, and will raise accountability of the legislative and executive branches of the Government. The declaration foresees consultations with civil society and joint projects to raise the participation of the public in the work of the Assembly.