Judges Valentina Sopjani and Agron Maxhuni were elected today as members of the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) from among the Basic Courts.
Sopjani, who comes from the Basic Court in Prishtina, secured 212 votes, while Maxhuni, from the Vushtrri branch of the Basic Court in Mitrovica, received 204 votes.
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Diora Bajrami from the Basic Court in Prizren and Ilir Bytyqi from the Basic Court in Ferizaj also ran for these two seats, receiving 64 and 84 votes respectively.
Of the 354 judges, 303 who had the right to vote in this electoral process were present in the hall.
The elections were held after internal processes conducted at the Basic Courts in Prishtina, Ferizaj, Mitrovica, Peja and Prizren. The chairman of the Election Commission, Ahmet Imami, announced that yesterday they had received an email informing them that Judge Besnik Shala had withdrawn from the race.
For the two members elected from the ranks of the Basic Courts, judges from these courts, the first-instance chambers of the Commercial Court and the Administrative Court were eligible to run, with the exception of judges from the Basic Court in Gjakova.
Currently, the Kosovo Judicial Council has 11 members, although it is supposed to have 13. For one member from the ranks of the Supreme Court, the process is continuing in line with legal procedures, while the Assembly of Kosovo must also elect another member to complete the KJC’s composition.
The mandate of the two new members will begin on July 8, one day after the mandate of the two current members ends.
Before voting began, Judge Maxhuni pledged that he would work with responsibility and strong dedication to implementing the fundamental principles set out in the Constitution of Kosovo and the legislation in force related to the Judicial Council.
Maxhuni: At the KJC, I will support decisions that ensure fair courts
“As a member of the KJC, I will contribute to ensuring independence in the exercise of the Council’s functions, as well as financial independence, which is a key element in securing conditions for judges. As a member, I will support every decision that ensures independence and that ensures courts are fair, apolitical, accessible and professional. Likewise, that courts respect the principles established on human rights, especially those affirmed through the country’s Constitution and international instruments that are directly applicable in Kosovo. Within the Council, I will support all ongoing processes, and I will also support the development of strategic policies related to reform of the judicial system in Kosovo, based on the highest contemporary standards set by the Council of Europe and the European Union. It is necessary and essential to work on several different aspects to advance the judicial system in Kosovo, including ensuring equal access for all citizens without distinction, increasing efficiency and timeliness within the justice system, strengthening institutional and individual accountability, and enhancing and protecting the integrity and independence of judges as the foundation of public trust in decision-making,” he said.
On the other hand, Judge Sopjani said that the KJC should represent the voice of judges, be their main supporter and the institution that ensures conditions for professional and efficient work.
Sopjani: The KJC should be the voice of judges and the institution that ensures conditions for efficient work
“Throughout the years of serving as a judge, I have understood that the strength of a judicial system is not measured only by the laws at its disposal, but above all by the conditions, support and independence offered to judges to carry out their mission. A judge who is professionally supported and protected from any external influence is the best guarantee of justice, quality and public trust. Therefore, my candidacy is mainly based on these principles. I believe that the role of a KJC member should above all be in the service of judges and the judicial system. The Council should be the voice of judges, their main supporter and the institution that creates conditions for efficient and professional work,” she said.
