Davenport: We do not have a mandate to monitor conditions in detention facilities

Michael Davenport, the head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, emphasizes that the mission's members monitor trials at all levels but do not have the same mandate and responsibilities for monitoring or overseeing conditions in detention facilities, and that if there are complaints, they address the Ombudsman's Office.

"It is an integral part of our mandate to monitor trials in courts at all levels, in all instances, certainly depending on the cooperation of the courts, which is always welcome. We are particularly focused on certain areas. For example, trials for war crimes, which are one of the main priorities of our observers, as well as cases involving domestic violence, corruption, and organized crime, which represent a priority list. We continuously monitor trials in these areas, which also include, as you have seen from the report, decisions on the imposition of detention measures," Davenport said, adding that, concerning the list of those accused of war crimes, he was not aware of it and could not further comment on the topic.

He emphasizes that the OSCE mission does not have the same mandate and responsibilities related to monitoring or overseeing conditions in detention units.

"However, when people approach us from time to time and raise certain problems, we usually express concerns to the relevant institutions, and we especially address the Ombudsman's Institution. The Ombudsman's Institution, or the Ombudsman for Human Rights, is the one with the mandate to investigate, monitor, and initiate investigations regarding any allegations of ill-treatment, for example, in detention or correctional services," Davenport said when presenting the report on monitoring the implementation of detention measures in Kosovo's courts.