War crimes cases should be treated as priority, says OSCE Mission in Kosovo report

PRISHTINE/PRISTINA, 15 June 2010 - War crimes cases in Kosovo must be dealt with in a timely manner and sufficient resources and support for witness protection are urgently needed, according to a report by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo presented today.

The report is based on OSCE monitoring of war crimes cases and covers the period from June 1999 to December 2009. It says that war crimes cases have not been prioritized, not enough resources have been allocated to handling cases, and that the witness protection programme needs further support.

"All communities in Kosovo have been affected and none will be able to close this difficult chapter in their lives until the remaining war crimes cases have been properly addressed by the justice system. This is one of the most critical tests that a judicial system can face," said Ambassador Werner Almhofer, the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

Additionally the report notes that the lack of continuity in judicial personnel, insufficient regional co-operation in trying war crimes cases and the number of different authorities and institutions engaged in this area all contribute to undue delays in war crimes trials.

The report also calls for the involvement of local judges and prosecutors in the trials, increased engagement of competent international authorities as well as additional efforts to strengthen the capacities of the personnel dealing with cases.

"Lack of success in addressing these matters would have a negative effect on the trust that people need to have in the justice system. It would also impact the reconciliation process among all communities living in Kosovo," Almhofer added.

The report recommendations on how to tackle the identified shortcomings include the introduction of a long-term intensive training strategy for judiciary to be implemented and a special body to be created to handle war crimes cases.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated to promote the rule of law and human rights. An effective justice system that would bring a just result to the remaining war crimes cases is important in achieving democratic standards.

The report is available at: //www.osce.org/documents/mik/2010/06/44598_en.pdf