German Embassy backs EU concerns over amendments to the Law on the Specialist Chambers

The German Embassy in Kosovo has backed the position of the European Union Office in Kosovo on a possible vote in parliament on amendments to the Law on the Specialist Chambers. The embassy shared the EU Office’s statement on social media.

In its response, the embassy said it fully agreed with the EU Office’s concerns about the possibility that Kosovo’s parliament would vote on the law amending and supplementing the Law on the Specialist Chambers.

The EU Office in Kosovo has expressed concern about a possible vote on these amendments in parliament tomorrow. According to the office, they raise serious questions about Kosovo’s fulfillment of its international obligations and respect for the fundamental principles of the rule of law.

The EU Office’s concerns relate in particular to judicial independence, the protection of victims and witnesses, procedural rights and effective accountability.

The EU Office has also raised questions about the constitutionality of the amendments. It has called for consultations, in line with Kosovo’s international obligations, before the law is adopted.