The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has renewed its financial support to the outreach activities of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in Kosovo.
KSC Registrar Fidelma Donlon signed a grant agreement with Switzerland last week on behalf of the KSC, which provides for funding to the Outreach Programme throughout 2024 and 2025.
With six cases underway in various stages of proceedings, the new grant will allow the KSC to continue its dialogue with citizens in Kosovo, informing people about the proceedings, listening to their views and answering their questions.
“The Kosovo Specialist Chambers is operating according to the mandate endorsed by the Kosovo Assembly to uphold the rule of law for alleged crimes within its jurisdiction,” said KSC President Trendafilova. “But because the proceedings are taking place in the Hague and follow a dedicated Law, some aspects of the court’s functioning might be unclear to people. This is why I consider it so important to come to Kosovo, as I did last week, to explain what is happening and to answer questions.”
The KSC has held over 150 interactive events in communities all over Kosovo, reaching over 3,500 participants directly since 2018.
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Switzerland, as a contributing state to the KSC, for continuing to support our efforts to bring justice closer to the people in Kosovo, informing them about how the KSC provides fair, impartial, secure and independent trials,” the Registrar said. “Outreach has been a priority of the KSC from the beginning, and Switzerland’s support has been vital to this work.”
In events organised in cooperation with civil society, young people and students, journalists, legal practitioners, minority community representatives, and other citizens have the opportunity to hear from representatives of the court about its work, to ask questions, and to express their views. The Outreach team also informs the public in Kosovo through informational videos that address the questions most frequently asked at Outreach events.
The public can learn about the court and follow its work on the KSC website, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
