EU: Political parties should refrain from pressuring the Kosovo Judicial Council

The European Union Office in Kosovo today called on all political parties to refrain from exerting pressure on the Kosovo Judicial Council and its members during the decision-making process.

In a statement, the EU Office in Pristina stressed that an independent, impartial and non-political judiciary is essential to the rule of law, both in the European Union and in Kosovo.

The EU's message comes a day before the session of the Kosovo Judicial Council, which is expected to consider a request submitted by Acting President of Kosovo Albulena Haxhiu regarding the resignations of judges and administrative staff from the Serbian community serving in Kosovo's judicial system.

The Council will also consider notifications submitted by Serbian judges and court employees withdrawing their previously tendered resignations.

On June 19, Haxhiu sent a letter to the Kosovo Judicial Council and the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council, requesting that the judicial institutions resolve the issue of the resignations "without delay," arguing that further postponement was affecting the normal functioning of the judicial system.

In the meantime, several days ago, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council rejected requests to withdraw the resignations of five prosecutors and 15 members of the support staff from the Serbian community at the Mitrovica Prosecution Office, after which Haxhiu signed decrees dismissing them from office.

That decision has already prompted a reaction from the European Union, which expressed concern, stating that the measure is incompatible with the rule of law.

"This appears to be incompatible with the law, the principles of due process and the overall requirements of the rule of law in Kosovo. The European Union calls on all competent institutions to refrain from actions aimed at preventing the reintegration of Serbian judicial personnel," Brussels said.