Newsroom
OSCE trains legal professionals on new Provisional Criminal Codes for Kosovo
PRISTINA 2 October 2003
PRISTINA, 2 October 2003 - The OSCE-established Kosovo Judicial Institute (KJI) will host two training sessions this week to introduce Kosovo's legal community to the reforms contained in the new Provisional Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.
The opening remarks tomorrow will be given by Bajram Rexhepi, the Prime Minister of Kosovo and Rexhep Haxhimusa, President of the Supreme Court of Kosovo. Other speakers include the Deputy UN Special Representative for Police and Justice, Jean Christian Cady, and the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Rolf Van Uye.
Philip Kanning, Co-Director of the KJI said that 6 April 2004 was a date that members of the Kosovo criminal justice community would look forward to with a mixture of grateful anticipation and some uncertainty.
"It marks the effective date for the new Provisional Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes in the Municipal, District and Supreme Courts," he said.
The Codes were drafted over several years by members of the Kosovo legal community and international experts after consultation with dozens of interested groups and reflect general trends in criminal law reform in the region and in Europe.
The new Codes make changes in the established offences and methods used in the criminal courts. The Codes also adopt new provisions relating to the rights of victims and those charged with offences that are consistent with international human rights law.
"The legal community in Kosovo hopes that these changes will bring greater consistency and transparency to the criminal justice system and will improve the efficiency of the courts," Philip Kanning added.
This initial programme will be offered to all judges and prosecutors from the municipal courts, district courts and the Supreme Court, as well as defence attorneys and trainers from the Kosovo Police Service School (KPSS).
Media representatives are welcome to attend the first day (Friday) of the training sessions. The OSCE Mission will organize transport, leaving HQ at 08:00. Journalists who wish to attend should confirm their participation by ringing (+381-38) 500 162 ext. 118.
Date: 3 and 4 October 2003
Time: 08:30 to 17:30
Venue: Kosovo Police School Service, Vushtrri/Vucitrn
The opening remarks tomorrow will be given by Bajram Rexhepi, the Prime Minister of Kosovo and Rexhep Haxhimusa, President of the Supreme Court of Kosovo. Other speakers include the Deputy UN Special Representative for Police and Justice, Jean Christian Cady, and the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Rolf Van Uye.
Philip Kanning, Co-Director of the KJI said that 6 April 2004 was a date that members of the Kosovo criminal justice community would look forward to with a mixture of grateful anticipation and some uncertainty.
"It marks the effective date for the new Provisional Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes in the Municipal, District and Supreme Courts," he said.
The Codes were drafted over several years by members of the Kosovo legal community and international experts after consultation with dozens of interested groups and reflect general trends in criminal law reform in the region and in Europe.
The new Codes make changes in the established offences and methods used in the criminal courts. The Codes also adopt new provisions relating to the rights of victims and those charged with offences that are consistent with international human rights law.
"The legal community in Kosovo hopes that these changes will bring greater consistency and transparency to the criminal justice system and will improve the efficiency of the courts," Philip Kanning added.
This initial programme will be offered to all judges and prosecutors from the municipal courts, district courts and the Supreme Court, as well as defence attorneys and trainers from the Kosovo Police Service School (KPSS).
Media representatives are welcome to attend the first day (Friday) of the training sessions. The OSCE Mission will organize transport, leaving HQ at 08:00. Journalists who wish to attend should confirm their participation by ringing (+381-38) 500 162 ext. 118.
Date: 3 and 4 October 2003
Time: 08:30 to 17:30
Venue: Kosovo Police School Service, Vushtrri/Vucitrn