The defense counsel for former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, Luka Misetic, has strongly criticized the Kosovo Specialist Chambers following their reported boycott of a presentation by the Kosovo Ombudsperson and British legal experts concerning the ongoing proceedings in The Hague.
In a public reaction, Misetic emphasized the importance of independent oversight in safeguarding fundamental rights and ensuring transparency in judicial processes. He argued that the right to a public trial is a cornerstone of human rights law and that external scrutiny helps hold courts and prosecutors accountable.
“The right to a public trial is a cornerstone of human rights jurisprudence. Public oversight ensures institutional accountability, allowing procedural and substantive violations to be identified and corrected,” Misetic stated.
He praised the Kosovo Ombudsperson and the Human Rights Committee of the Bar Council of England and Wales for what he described as their vital role in providing independent monitoring of the trial. According to Misetic, their work gives practical meaning to the principle of a public hearing in the case of Thaçi and the other accused.
Misetic also expressed disappointment with major international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience before international courts and tribunals, he argued that organizations which vigorously defend defendants’ rights in domestic systems often take a different approach when dealing with international institutions.
“Too often, large NGOs end up defending the institutions themselves rather than providing the objective external oversight necessary to protect the rights of the accused,” he said.
In his reaction, Misetic also shared and cited reporting by RKS News regarding the concerns raised by the Kosovo Ombudsperson and British legal experts, highlighting the importance of independent reporting and public scrutiny of the proceedings before the Specialist Chambers.
The comments come amid continuing debate in Kosovo over transparency, due process, and accountability in the trial of Hashim Thaçi and other former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA/UÇK) leaders before the Hague-based court.
Misetic concluded by commending the Kosovo Ombudsperson and the British legal experts for their efforts to ensure that internationally recognized fair-trial standards are respected throughout the proceedings.
