Recaj: Kosovo's Membership in the Council of Europe Would Enhance Human Rights Protection and Democracy

Professor Besfort Recaj, who teaches international law at the University of Pristina, believes that the decision by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to recommend Kosovo for membership in this international organization is good news for Kosovo and its citizens, as well as for all of Europe. He asserts that Kosovo's membership would contribute to the protection of human rights, the promotion of freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law.

"I think this is very good news for Kosovo, our citizens, and at the same time, I believe that Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe is excellent news for all of Europe and all of humanity because with our membership we will manage to better and more effectively protect human rights, promote freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, and this can only contribute positively to all of humanity," Recaj stated for Kosovo Online.

He further adds that Kosovo's membership is seen as a process that will yield multiple benefits.

He expressed hope that Kosovo will become a member of the Council of Europe in May and that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will make a positive final decision because he believes that membership will open the door for Kosovo to join international human rights organizations, protect human rights, and grant access to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights.

As he mentions, cases of Kosovo citizens will be able to be presented at the Strasbourg Court, allowing citizens to demand their rights at that court when their human rights are jeopardized and violated in Kosovo.

Speaking about the formulation in Dora Bakoyannis's report that the Council of Europe does not deal with borders but with human rights, Recaj says that Bakoyannis's report "is clear about Kosovo being considered a state".

"The decision to open the way for Kosovo to become a member of the Council of Europe will make clear distinctions between the period before and after membership. Following Kosovo's accession to the CoE, Kosovo will be considered a state. This was approved by the Parliamentary Assembly yesterday, and it is clear that Kosovo will be considered an equal member and will formally be the Republic of Kosovo, regardless of some EU member states not yet recognizing Kosovo," Recaj said.

However, as he notes, problems or postponement of membership on May 16 can be expected, and the reason for this may be Kosovo's experience with visa liberalization.

"We know that many years ago, the European Commission recommended and concluded that Kosovo met all the criteria for visa liberalization and recommended the introduction of a visa-free regime in Kosovo, as did the European Parliament. However, we had problems with the European Council due to some political issues raised by different EU member states, which is why I expect that there may be possible issues with membership in the Council of Europe, but I am optimistic and hope that this will not happen," Recaj said.