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Special court’s confidential amendment revealed (Koha)

Koha claims to have secured the content of the constitutional amendment set to pave way for the establishment of the special court. The text of the amendment says that Kosovo can establish special chambers and prosecution within its judicial order that will address allegations contained in the Council of Europe’s report. These chambers will have full legal competencies to enter obligatory agreements necessary for the functioning, integrity, independence and security of cases that the court will address as well as the cooperation, assistance and protection of witnesses.

Kuci: Draft on special court doesn't guarantee equality (RTKLive)

Kosovo Minister of Justice Hajredin Kuqi, on Wednesday briefed the Committee on Legislation regarding the "Special court, the process of preparing the legislation and its constitutionality." Kuci said that he assumes that the headquarters of the special court will be in the Netherlands but, still there is no agreement with the state. Whereas for the special chambers of this court, Kuci said that he will insist that these chambers remain in Kosovo.

Yee: Kosovo to combat corruption and organized crime (VOA)

The United States Deputy Assistant Secretary, Hoyt Yee, told Voice of America, that Kosovo needs to be more effective in the fight against organized crime and corruption, in order to facilitate economic development that would prevent irregular migration. Yee also said that special court for war crimes would help Kosovo to gain a better reputation in the international community.

Special court not taken seriously by Kosovo institutions (Kosova Sot)

Musa Dragusha, former head of the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates writes in an opinion piece that Dick Marty's report on Kosovo was followed by different reactions. Dragusha writes that although the media and civil society devoted considerable attention to it, Kosovo institutions treated it as unimportant. “The report was not taken seriously even when on the basis of this report was established the Special Investigative Task Force (SITF) led by prosecutor Williamson.

Maloku: Only Vetevendosje has moral right not to vote for special court (Lajmi)

Naim Maloku, a senior official of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) and former deputy leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), said today that the formation of the special court, which will address war crimes allegations, is a result of the failure of Kosovo’s judiciary. Maloku said that except for the Vetevendosje Movement, all parliamentary parties have contributed to this failure, and that no party, except for Vetevendosje, has the moral right to oppose the formation of this court.

Kosovo: EU justice efforts shadowed by controversy (Turkish Weekly)

Kosovo agreed to support a new European-backed special court to try top war crimes suspects despite dissent from ex-guerrillas, while the EU rule-of-law mission was hit by corruption claims.

Under pressure from the European Union, Kosovo MPs voted in April 2014 to ratify a deal with Brussels to set up a new special court that will be located outside the country in order to prosecute serious crimes committed during and after the 1998-99 war with Serbian forces.

Vetevendosje will vote against special court (Zeri)

The Vetevendosje Movement will vote against the formation of the special court that will address war crimes allegations in Kosovo. Rexhep Selimi, a Vetevendosje MP and one of the commanders of the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), told Zeri about the reasons why 16 Vetevendosje MPs will vote against the court. “We are consistent in our position on this matter.

Witness protection program for special court is ready (Radio Kosova)

Witness protection remains an obstacle to the Kosovo judiciary, especially in cases of organized crime and war crimes, reports Radio Kosova. So far, according to the reports of international organizations, it is estimated that at least 12 protected witnesses of various judicial processes have been killed.

Mustafa: Dialogue with Serbia must guarantee sustainability (Radio Free Europe)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, in an interview for Radio Free Europe, says that the establishment of the special court will not be easy but that Kosovo must overcome this challenge.

Mr. Prime Minister, regarding the statement by EU High Representative Mogherini that you will hold your first meeting with your Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, in January. What do you expect from this meeting?

Kuci: Special Court depends on EU-Netherlands negotiations (Indeksonline)

There is still no set date when the Assembly will convene to change the constitution to enable the establishment of a special court that will investigate allegations of war crimes and organ trafficking in Kosovo. According to the Minister of Justice, Hajredin Kuci, the Assembly session on the issue will depend on the successful conclusion of negotiations between the EU and the court’s host country, the Netherlands.