British Embassy in Kosovo: Constitutional Court decisions must be implemented

The Constitutional Court of Kosovo has well-established procedures for reviewing and making decisions, and these must be respected and encouraged by all parties, the British Embassy in Pristina emphasized to Kosovo Online, in response to recent criticisms by Kosovo authorities regarding the Court’s decision on the constitution of the parliament. The message from the British Embassy is that decisions of the Constitutional Court must be respected and implemented.

When asked to comment on the attacks by the authorities in Pristina against the Constitutional Court of Kosovo, especially against the Constitutional Court judge from the Serbian community who has served in that position for years, representatives of the British Embassy replied that the Court has well-established procedures for reviewing and making decisions.

“The ability of the Court to operate independently is of vital importance for Kosovo’s democracy. This must be respected and encouraged by all parties, and the Court’s decisions must be respected and implemented,” the British Embassy stated in its response to Kosovo Online.

Kosovo’s Minister of Justice in the technical mandate, Albulena Haxhiu, yesterday stressed that the decision of the Constitutional Court represents a cause for serious concern, claiming that the Court overstepped its authority and took away powers from the parliament. She also demanded that proceedings be initiated to dismiss judge Radomir Laban, whom she accuses of involvement in criminal activities and representing a “threat to Kosovo’s constitutional order.”

The Self-Determination Movement issued a statement after the Constitutional Court’s decision regarding the procedures for constituting the Assembly, saying it represents a dangerous departure from the Court’s constitutional role and is contrary to the fundamental principles of the rule of law and separation of powers.