Kosovo’s Justice Minister, Dhurata Hoxha, today participated in the conference “The investigation of sexual and gender-based violence - challenges and opportunities for forensic coordination" organized by the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). During the conference, Hoxha thanked EULEX and local institutions for their commitment regarding more effective use of forensic techniques in cases of crimes of sexual violence which represent a serious violation of human rights.

The building of Turkey’s General Consulate in Prizren was attacked on Monday morning with Molotov cocktail, the news site reports. The attack caused only minor material damage. Chief Prosecutor of Prizren, Syle Hoxha, confirmed the news. “The building of the Turkish Consulate in Prizren was attacked this morning. No one was injured while the attack only caused minor material damage. The case is being investigated,” Hoxha said. According to him, five individuals were detained and are being questioned regarding the case.

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) expressed support for the Ministry of Justice for transparency and accountability in correctional service. The Justice Ministry Inspectorate yesterday suspended four correctional service staff for procedural negligence in regards to the death of Vetevendosje activist Astrit Dehari. Through social media EULEX noted it supports efforts of the Minister of Justice Dhurata Hoxha to promote transparency and accountability in the correctional service.

Kosovo’s Justice Minister, Dhurata Hoxha, met today in Pristina the European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek. Hoxha and Lunacek discussed the Progress Report on Kosovo which highlights the positive steps of Kosovo but also the criteria still to be met for the decision on visa liberalisation. Hoxha said that one of the criteria is strengthening the rule of law, expressing the commitment of implementing rule of law reforms, consolidation of good governance but also economic reforms.

Kosovo’s Justice Minister, Dhurata Hoxha, met today the head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu with whom she discussed the common agenda in the field of rule of law, with particular emphasis on justice reforms. Hoxha during the meeting thanked Braathu for OSCE’s contribution in the field of justice.

Kosovo’s Justice Minister, Dhurata Hoxha, today while reporting to the Committee on Legislation, spoke about the arrest of the Kosovo Police regional director, Nehat Thaci, by Serbian authorities. Hoxha said that "the Ministry of Justice has sent a verbal note to Serbia about Thaci’s arrest.” She also said that there was a hearing session yesterday for Nehat Thaci, but that “the ministry has no information regarding this process.”

Kosovo’s Justice Minister, Dhurata Hoxha, met on Tuesday the president of the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC), Nehat Idrizi. Hoxha and Idrizi stated that the integration of the judicial system in northern Kosovo will happen soon, despite the challenges that may arise during the process. Hoxha stated the ministry will fully support the KJC to increase the efficiency of the judiciary throughout Kosovo. “We as ministry will work closely with the KJC and will help in making the necessary reforms to increase the efficiency of the judiciary.

Several media cover Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi's meeting today with newly-appointed Minister of Justice, Dhurata Hoxha. President Thaçi and Minister Hoxha discussed the important of further consolidation of the justice sector. Parties noted that there has been great progress in Kosovo in establishing the rule of law, since the declaration of independence, and they confirmed the need for continued commitment to ensure better and more efficient functioning of the judiciary and of other institutions in the justice sector.

The paper’s front-page editorial today criticizes the newly appointed Justice Minister Dhurata Hoxha for her statements that she will follow the path of previous Justice Minister Hajredin Kuci. “During the years while the justice sector was led by Minister Kuci, the crisis only has deepened in the rule of law. Minister Kuci’s biggest failure was the extreme degradation of justice and the failure of presenting radical reforms by removing corrupt judges and prosecutors.

Several news websites are reporting that Dhurata Hoxha, a member of the chairmanship of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), has been appointed Minister of Justice, after Hajredin Kuçi was appointed Principal Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo.