28.04.2024. » 10:47 | ACDC
Meeting on the challenges of the judiciary in the north of Kosovo after the departure of Serbian judges and other workers
The departure of Kosovo/Serbian judges, prosecutors, and administrative staff has left a noticeable gap in the judicial system in northern Kosovo, raising concerns about the continuity and effectiveness of legal processes. In light of these challenges, the NGO ACDC organized a meeting aimed at assessing the extent to which staff reductions affect the overall functionality of judicial institutions in northern Kosovo, exploring ways to support and strengthen integrated judiciary, and discussing the future of these institutions.
The departure of Kosovo/Serbian judges, prosecutors, and administrative staff has left a noticeable gap in the judicial system in northern Kosovo, raising concerns about the continuity and effectiveness of legal processes. In light of these challenges, the NGO ACDC organized a meeting aimed at assessing the extent to which staff reductions affect the overall functionality of judicial institutions in northern Kosovo, exploring ways to support and strengthen integrated judiciary, and discussing the future of these institutions.
The panelists at the meeting were Bislim Gashi from the Kosovo Judicial Council, Bekim Velići, acting president of the Basic Court in Mitrovica, and Dušan Radaković, executive director of the NGO ACDC.
Bekim Velići emphasized that they had a good and professional relationship with their Serbian colleagues, who left the judicial institutions due to pressure. Velići invited Serbian colleagues to return. "I think we, as a court and the Judicial Council, are open to the possibility of their return. We welcome their return; we had a good and professional cooperation," Velići reiterated.
A year and a half after leaving these institutions, the Kosovo Prosecutorial and Judicial Councils have not yet confirmed the resignations of Serbian judiciary workers. The invitation to return is open, confirmed Bislim Gaši from the Judicial Council.
"The Kosovo Judicial Council has not terminated the employment of these workers; we have only suspended their salaries. This means that all employees, all our colleagues who have resigned and are not coming to work today, are still on the payroll. The Judicial Council cannot currently implement plan B. One of the reasons is that the judiciary is a special institution, and they need to start over as judges because we cannot include them otherwise. However, the Kosovo Judicial Council has an open call for judges from the Serbian community and other regions," Gaši said.
After the resignations of Serbs, there was a temporary transfer of judges and prosecutors from other regions to North Mitrovica. However, unresolved cases continue to accumulate. Nevertheless, Velići said there are no issues with trust in the court's work.
Director of the NGO ACDC, Dušan Radaković, said that the period after November 7, when Serbs left the Kosovo judiciary in northern Kosovo, was difficult. He also emphasized the good cooperation between ACDC and the Basic Court in Mitrovica, despite the departure of Serbian judiciary workers.
The event was supported by UNMIK.
