The 2019 annual report of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC), together with the annual report of the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO), is now available online in the three official languages of the court: Albanian, English and Serbian.
The report highlights key milestones achieved in 2019.
In 2019 the Independent Representative Body of Specialist Counsel was established by Defence and Victims Counsel qualified to practice before the KSC.
The milestones also include the move to the new premises with a highly equipped courtroom that provides for measures to ensure the safety and security of victims and witnesses.
To enable the KSC to warrant transparency and bring its trials to people outside the premises, including those in the region, the courtroom is equipped with live-stream for future proceedings in all three official languages.
President Ekaterina Trendafilova reflected that since the proceedings will take place in The Hague, “it is of utmost importance that there is an open line of information, communication and dialogue, so that people understand what our mission entails and that we work to dispense justice fairly, impartially, independently and transparently.”
Registrar Fidelma Donlon said: “The publication of this annual report is a testament to the diligent work and professional dedication of our staff and reflects the tremendous amount of work undertaken over the course of 2019. I have full confidence in the Registry’s readiness to support the Judges in conducting fair and efficient proceedings in a safe and secure environment.”
2019 saw an increase in the judicial activity before the KSC, including matters brought before the Specialist Chamber of the Constitutional Court as well as matters concerning legal aid. The Judges of the KSC were also engaged throughout the year in different activities varying from preparations for upcoming proceedings to actual judicial involvement. They stand ready to conduct fair, efficient, expeditious, safe and secure proceedings before the KSC in an independent and impartial manner.
The electronic court management platform was also launched to support the effective and secure management of evidence and judicial filings.
Communicating with people in Kosovo and the region about the mandate and work of the court has been a top priority of the KSC since its establishment and remained so in 2019, when outreach activities were significantly intensified. Working with civil society, the Outreach team travelled to Kosovo nearly every month to talk to students, legal professionals, lawyers, journalists and other people about the court, listening to their concerns and answering their questions. Representatives of the KSC also explained the mandate of the institution in a TV Show and in various interviews with local and international journalists. The full text of the 2019 Report of the KSC and SPO can be accessed here.
