Representatives of the Kosovo Law Institute (IKD), Ehat Miftaraj and Betim Musliu, met today with officials of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) War Veterans’ Organization (OVL-UÇK), including President Hysni Gucati, Vice Presidents Gazmend Syla and Fatmir Sopi, and the organization’s legal adviser, attorney Gafurr Elshani.
The meeting focused on issues affecting war-related categories, including the free legal aid provided by IKD’s Free Legal Aid Center.
Both sides expressed concern over the Department of Pensions, within the Ministry of Labour, Family and the Values of the Liberation War (MPFVLÇ), for allegedly failing to implement final court rulings recognizing the right of war veterans and other eligible beneficiaries to receive dual pensions.
They stressed that, despite final and binding court decisions, the Ministry has continued to revoke these rights by issuing new administrative decisions based on the same legal and factual grounds that had already been reviewed and rejected by the courts.
According to the participants, such actions undermine the authority of judicial decisions and the legal principle of res judicata, forcing citizens to repeatedly challenge the same issue through administrative and court proceedings, thereby weakening legal certainty and the effective enforcement of judicial protection.
During the meeting, IKD also informed OVL-UÇK representatives about its citizens’ legislative initiative, which seeks amendments to Kosovo’s Criminal Code. The proposed changes would introduce:
- Criminal liability for the intentional failure of responsible officials to implement decisions of the Constitutional Court; and
- Criminal liability for the misuse of public funds for electoral gain during election and pre-election periods.
IKD requested the support of the KLA Veterans’ Organization for the initiative, aimed at strengthening the rule of law and good governance. OVL-UÇK confirmed its support.
The parties also agreed on the importance of protecting the legacy and values of the KLA, expressing support for initiating and adopting a Law on the Protection and Preservation of the Values of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
