On 20 November, Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) held a Panel Discussion on the topic: “Integration of Serbian Judges and Prosecutors from North into the Kosovo Justice System”, held in Prishtina. The aim of this event was to offer a comprehensive perspective from all relevant stakeholders upon the Brussels Agreement on the Judiciary, its impact, procedural problems, challenges and shortcomings of the integrated judicial system, amongst others.
At the beginning of the discussion, GLPS presented a Policy Analysis entitled “Going South: Integration of Serb Judges and Prosecutors from North into the Kosovar Justice System”. This analysis addresses the process of reaching the Brussels Agreement on Justice, its content and role on integrating Serbian judges and prosecutors into the justice system in the country. Particular focus will be given to the implementation of this agreement, the actions taken so far, and the challenges presented during this process. Moreover, the analysis reflects the overall positive and negative effects of the Brussels Agreement on the Judiciary.

“Academy of Justice should be provided with sufficient resources to complete the transition to a fully bilingual education center. Further efforts are required to tackle the mismatch between the applicable Kosovar system and the Serbian practices”, stated Ms. Hoxha, one of the authors of the Analysis. In addition, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Tahiri, said that overall the integration process of judges and prosecutors from North was a success story and is functioning properly. “Despite the problems encountered at the beginning, we are in the right path toward full integration of the Northern part into the Kosovar judiciary system. This process has nothing to do with establishment of separate ethnic structures, but contributes toward a full functioning justice system for all regions and communities living in Kosovo.  Reflecting to what the minister said, chairs of KJC and KPC agreed that there are lots of challenges encountered during the implementation of the judiciary in North, however, they remain committed toward having a fully implemented and integrated judiciary into the Kosovo’s justice system. On the other hand, Ms. Haxhiu, the Chair of the Committee on Legislation said that the integration of judges and prosecutors from North is a failure and that Kosovo did not manage to act as a sovereign country on this regard. While international representatives agreed that the system faces difficulties but it is in the right path towards proper and full integration into the Kosovo’s justice system, while emphasizing that language is one of the main constrains encountered on this regard.

Panelists:

Mr. Abelard Tahiri – Minister of Justice;

Ms. Albulena Haxhiu – Chair of the Committee on Legislation, Mandates and Immunities;

Mr. Nehat Idrizi – Chair of the Kosovo Judicial Council;

Mr. Blerim Isufaj – Chair of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council;

Ms. Katarina Grbesa – Legal Adviser, Rule of Law Sector at the EU Office in Kosovo;

Ms. Pranvera Reqica – Deputy Chief of Justice Support Strengthening Program USAID;

Ms. Rreze Hoxha – Author of the Report, Group for Legal and Political Studies.

Venue: Orion Conference Center (Str. Rexhep Luci no.2, Prishtina, Kosovo)