On 30 September 2016, Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) hosted a Roundtable Discussion on the topic: “Results and Challenges of the Justice Reform in Kosovo: What can we do differently?” at Swiss Diamond Hotel. The primary aim of this event was to discuss the performance of the judicial and prosecutorial system. This Discussion also served to to identify gaps, and questioned whether the latest reform package has helped enhance effectiveness and independence of justice sector. The panel included representatives from the Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils, members of the Committee on Legislation, EU representatives and members of civil society. Participants had the chance to discuss the overall functioning of the rule of law institutions in Kosovo, with a special focus on the judicial and prosecutorial systems. Lack of financial capacities, very low number of judges and capacity building development are some of the main challenges that the Kosovo judicial system faces, and which have a direct impact in the well-functioning and efficiency of the system.

“Kosovo needs highly qualified judges, who are able to think critically and act independently” stated Mr. Michalczuk, the Head of Rule of Law Section at the EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative.

 At the beginning of the discussion, GLPS presented the first Rule of Law Performance Index in Kosovo (hereinafter RoLPIK), which will serve as a tool to demonstrate the trend of performance, efficiency and independence of judiciary and prosecutorial system. Using both, structural and perception based indicators, RoLPIK will also serve as an open data platform that offers detailed information about citizens’ satisfaction with the performance of rule of law institutions. In addition, RoLPIK offers information consisting of official data that portray the level of efficiency, independence and effectiveness of the justice system institutions. Furthermore, through RoLPIK, GLPS aims to create a sustainable mechanism that will serve as a monitoring and assessment tool for the functioning of the justice system in Kosovo.

Panelists in attendance:

Ms. Makifete Saliuka– Member of the Kosovo Judicial Council;

Ms. Albulena Haxhiu – Chairperson of the Committee on Legislation;

Mr. Armend Zemaj – Member of the Committee on Legislation;

Mr. Cezary Michalczuk – Head of Rule of Law Section, EU Office in Kosovo;

Mr. Betim Musliu – Kosovo Law Institute.

Venue: Swiss Diamond Hotel (Square “Mother Theresa”, Prishtina)

*This project is financed by the project/program Democratic Society Promotion (DSP) – financed by the Swiss Cooperation Office in Kosovo (SCO-K) and managed by the Kosovo Civil Society Foundation (KCSF).