Kosovo Parliament Alters Specialist Chambers Law Amid EU Criticism and Public Protests

On October 6 Kosovo’s parliament approved amendments to the law governing the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, reducing the maximum imprisonment to 15 years and granting the president the power to issue pardons for those convicted by the Hague tribunal. The legislation was adopted after three weeks of violent protests that erupted following the September 16 first-instance verdicts sentencing former president Hashim Thaci and former KLA officials Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi for war crimes.

The European Union expressed serious concerns, saying the changes conflict with Kosovo’s obligations under the EU-brokered agreement that created the court. Lawyers note that the court’s mandate is entrenched in Kosovo’s constitution and the EU framework, and that any further alterations may require EU consent. The court’s Constitutional Chamber in The Hague will review the amendments, but officials stress that proceedings, including pending appeals, will continue. Critics fear the reforms could undermine independent oversight and limit defendants’ rights, while supporters argue they clarify jurisdiction between Kosovo’s Constitutional Court and the specialist tribunal.