Qelaj: The process in The Hague is taking place without transparency and without guarantees of justice - Gazeta Express
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NEWS

Express newspaper

06/07/2025 12:32

Qelaj: The process in The Hague is taking place without transparency and without guarantees of justice

NEWS

Express newspaper

06/07/2025 12:32

The extension of pre-trial detention for the accused in the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, the Ombudsman, Naim Qelaj, has described as unacceptable and contrary to the standards of the European Court of Human Rights, emphasizing that the trial against the former KLA leaders is taking place with a lack of transparency and in circumstances that raise serious dilemmas for justice.

In an interview with Ekonomia Online, Qelaj emphasized that local institutions should play a more active role in monitoring the process to ensure that international standards for a fair and equitable process are being implemented.

"It has been five years since this court began operating. I believe that there are many dilemmas regarding whether the standards for a fair and impartial trial are being respected. This court has lacked transparency to respond to the questions, concerns and dilemmas of public opinion. Of course, these are complicated, delicate, sensitive issues, for which I believe that local institutions should have done more in terms of monitoring this judicial process, to guarantee and ensure that these standards are being guaranteed and respected," he said.

One of the main concerns of the Ombudsman is the extension of the detention of the accused, which according to him conflicts with the right to defense in freedom and with the very principles of the European Court of Human Rights.

Qelaj added that such an approach creates a second consequence: it damages trust in local institutions and their ability to guarantee independent protection.

"The very fact of extending pre-trial detention for such a long period of time, I consider to be in violation of the standards of the European Court of Human Rights, violates the right of accused persons to be protected in freedom. On the other hand, it also puts Kosovo's own institutions in difficulty, since it expresses a kind of distrust in ensuring any other form of protection in freedom from these institutions," he said.

The Ombudsman has announced that he has expressed interest in visiting detainees in The Hague, closely following several court hearings, and holding meetings with representatives of responsible institutions.

"I don't know. I have expressed my willingness to visit the prisoners in The Hague, to monitor some sessions - as much as time and opportunity allow me - and then also a meeting with the court's representatives themselves, the Ombudsman there and the victims' advocate, so that I can have a clear and complete picture of what is happening and then at least through my public positions to clarify the opinion regarding those dilemmas and concerns that have been raised in the meantime," he said. /EO/