The spokesperson for the European External Action Service deeply regretted, on Friday 28 August, the decision taken the previous day by the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) to accept the resignations of Kosovo Serb judges even though they had already been withdrawn. These resignation requests had been made in 2022.
This decision follows similar measures taken in July by the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) and the Acting President concerning the resignations of Kosovo Serb prosecutors (see EUROPE 13914/5).
“Those decisions appears incompatible with Kosovo law, due process and overall rule of law requirements in Kosovo”, the spokesperson warned in a statement, adding that they also ran counter to the principles of a multi-ethnic judicial system, damaged confidence within the Kosovo Serb community and undermined efforts aimed at a sustainable return to Kosovo institutions.
The spokesperson called on all relevant actors to create the conditions necessary for a multi-ethnic judicial system, in full compliance with Kosovo legislation, due process guarantees and the commitments made in the EU-facilitated Dialogue. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)