The Kosovo Assembly on Monday approved, with 90 votes in favor and none against, a proposal to waive standard parliamentary deadlines and procedures, clearing the way for the first reading of a bill amending the Law on Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office.
The proposal was put forward by Arbërie Nagavci, head of the parliamentary group of the ruling Vetëvendosje Movement, who called for the bill to be considered during Monday’s extraordinary session rather than following the regular parliamentary timetable.
“We propose that the first reading of this law take place during the extraordinary session, today,” Nagavci said.
Meanwhile, Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Përparim Gruda said the proposed amendments would not remove the Specialist Chambers’ authority to handle cases related to alleged organ trafficking. According to Gruda, the changes would instead seek to transfer jurisdiction over war crimes cases to Kosovo.
“This law does not remove the Specialist Chambers’ authority to address cases related to organ trafficking, but removes part of its jurisdiction concerning war crimes,” Gruda said.
He added that Kosovo would not amend its Constitution or withdraw from its international agreements with the Netherlands, arguing that the proposed changes would allow future war crimes cases to be tried in Kosovo.
Gruda also said that any potential proceedings involving former Kosovo leaders before the Supreme Court would take place in Kosovo.
The waiver of parliamentary deadlines and procedures is provided for under the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure. The draft law had previously received support in principle from the Assembly’s Committee on Legislation.
