The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeff Hovenier, speaking at the launch of the Supreme Court’s Sentencing Measurement Guide, emphasized that sentencing is among the most crucial phases of criminal justice.
The American diplomat stated that both international and local reports highlight that Kosovo’s justice system still frequently issues lenient and disproportionate sentences.
“Sentencing is one of the most important phases of criminal justice, and this general guide will provide a clear framework for determining penalties for criminal offenses in Kosovo. As we have heard, Kosovo adopted its first sentencing measurement guide six years ago, and the country’s justice officials continue to serve as an example for the region.
This is only the first step, as all the hard work begins now. The necessary efforts must be made to ensure this guide becomes practical and enforceable. International and local reports indicate that Kosovo’s justice system still too often issues lenient or disproportionate sentences, underscoring the urgent need for this guide to be fully implemented,” Hovenier stressed.
