President Shiroka-Pula returns the Law on the Specialist Chambers to the Assembly for reconsideration

Kosovo President Justina Shiroka-Pula has decided to return the Law on Amending and Supplementing the Law on the Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office to the Assembly for reconsideration.

The law had previously been adopted by the Assembly and signed by its Speaker, Albulena Haxhiu, who then sent it to the president for promulgation.

The president’s decision came after she received an official request from the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the sponsor of the legislative initiative, asking that the Assembly be allowed to reconsider it.

The reconsideration is expected to focus on provisions concerning the jurisdiction and mandate of the Specialist Chambers, as well as ensuring the full constitutional rights of those standing trial before the institution in The Hague.

In her reasoning, President Shiroka-Pula highlighted the sacrifice, commitment and contribution of the Kosovo Liberation Army and its leaders during the war for the country’s freedom and independence.

She also recalled her support for the Declaration of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo of September 28, 2026, concerning the Specialist Chambers’ verdict in The Hague against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi.

The president expressed opposition to any attempt to distort Kosovo’s historical truth, call into question the liberating character of the war, or equate the people who fought for freedom and survival with the regime that oppressed them.

According to the reasoning behind the decision, Shiroka-Pula has held and is continuing consultations with representatives of the relevant institutions and state bodies. These consultations aim to coordinate inter-institutional and diplomatic efforts to document, protect and affirm the historical truth of the Kosovo Liberation War and the role of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

The consultations also aim to ensure the best possible protection of the rights and interests of the KLA leaders standing trial before the Specialist Chambers.