Today’s session of the Kosovo Assembly underscores the urgent need to address the ruling party’s practice of adopting key laws for electoral purposes without adhering to the standards and procedures required in a democratic state. 

FOL presses deep concern over decisions made during this session of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, which undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law. 

The review and approval in principle of the Draft Law on the State Bureau for Verification and Confiscation of Unjustifiable Assets—without allowing adequate time for public discussion and consultation with relevant stakeholders—demonstrates a rushed and politically motivated approach. Passing such legislation within a single day appears to prioritize electoral gain over a genuine commitment to combating corruption and illicit enrichment. This practice undermines the legislative process and directly contradicts the EU Country Report’s repeated criticisms, which highlight that adopting laws through accelerated procedures violates democratic standards. 

Additionally, the appointment of family members of the Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure, as well as the First Deputy Prime Minister, to the Board of Directors of the public enterprise KOSTT, is a blatant example of nepotism and conflict of interest. Such actions are troubling indicators of public institution capture and the misuse of power for private benefit. 

FOL believes these developments reflect a dangerous trend toward weakening the rule of law and prioritizing narrow political interests. As the highest legislative and oversight body, the Assembly of Kosovo bears a critical responsibility to uphold institutional integrity, strengthen the rule of law, and ensure transparency, accountability, and respect for democratic standards. 

Pristina, November 7, 2024 – The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, through the provision of Article 33 of the Draft Law on Budget Allocations for the Budget of the Republic of Kosovo for 2025, which has been proposed to the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, is establishing a harmful legal and legislative practice, by interfering with the Law on Salaries in the Public Sector.

Accordingly, Article 9 of the Law on Salaries in the Public Sector has determined that the monetary value of the salary coefficient of employees in the public sector shall be determined by the annual budget law, while in no case has it authorized the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to change the structure of the coefficients with the annual budget law, except as determined in the Law on Salaries in the Public Sector.

This proposed practice has raised concerns about the manner in which it is being followed, as it does not fully respect the provisions of the Law on Salaries in the Public Sector, which is a special law (lex specialis) that determines in detail the structure and levels of salaries in the public sector. Its amendment through another special law, such as the Annual Law on Budget Allocations for the Budget of the Republic of Kosovo, creates a wrong precedent in legal and legislative practice, bypassing the usual procedures for legal amendments in the Assembly.

Amendments to the Law on Salaries through the Law on Budget may raise questions about the coherence and sustainability of the legal system. Furthermore, this practice may pave the way for other amendments to specific laws through different laws in the future, which could be used inappropriately.

Amendments to laws should be carried out through the legislative procedures provided for, respecting the principles of transparency and stakeholder involvement. Only this guarantees that any change is well-researched, sustainable and in line with constitutional and legal principles.

Consequently, we call on the members of the Assembly of Kosovo to act responsibly and protect the integrity of Kosovo’s legal system, ensuring that any legal change is adopted only in accordance with constitutional and legal procedures and principles, to avoid dangerous precedents that could harm the interests of citizens.

Honorable Rector of the University of Prishtina, Mr. Qerim Qerimi,

We the undersigned Civil Society Organizations are addressing you through this open letter to request immediate action in your role as the Rector of the University of Prishtina to address the denunciations of 27 students of the Faculty of Medicine for sexual harassment by Professor Xhevat Krasniqi.

We demand the immediate suspension of Xhevat Krasniqi until there is an epilogue to the case. There should be zero tolerance for cases when professors sexually harass their students, and even less when these professors are proven sexual harassers, such as Xhevat Krasniqi, suspended from the University of Gjakova for the same criminal acts. By remaining silent against this criminal act, you are collaborating with the perpetrator and are amnestying and promoting sexual crimes within the University of Pristina.

Enough is enough, we want justice and we want it now!

We do not tolerate the sexual harassment of Xhevat Krasniqi. His illegal acts cannot be normalized or minimized. Sexual harassment has no place at the University of Prishtina. The wellbeing of students must be prioritized.

We call on you, as the bearer of the highest position within this institution, to take over the solution of this case and put justice in UP on to your own hands. Anything less would be a betrayal to the trust placed in you to exercise this duty and a failure to uphold the values of integrity and respect within the public university.

Silence is not an option, inaction is unacceptable!

Stand in solidarity with us and demand accountability and justice for victims of sexual harassment. We will not stop until the University of Pristina is freed from the epidemic of sexual harassment.

We kindly ask you to keep us informed about the case. We remain in your disposal for further correspondence.

Thank you for your attention!

Supporting organizations:

1. Nisma e të Rinjve për të Drejtat e Njeriut Kosovë – YIHR KS
2. Qendra Kosovare për Studime Gjinore – QKSGJ
3. Lëvizja Feministe Studentore – LFS
4. Qendra për Liri dhe Barazi – CEL Kosova
5. Qendra për Zhvillim të Grupeve Sociale – CSGD
6. Fondacioni Kosovar për Shoqëri Civile – KCSF
7. Qendra për Informim, Kritikë dhe Aksion – QIKA
8. Organizata për Rritje të Cilësisë në Arsim – ORCA
9. YMCA Kosova
10. Instituti Kosovar për Drejtësi – IKD
11. Lëvizja FOL
12. Instituti D4D
13. Rrjeti i Grave të Kosovës – RrGK
14. Bubble Foundation
15. Community Building Mitrovica – CBM
16. Dylberizm
17. Termokiss
18. Instituti Kosovar për Hulumtim dhe Zhvillim të Politikave – KIPRED
19. Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians – VoRAE
20. Asociacioni i Gazetarëve të Kosovës – AGK
21. Dokufest
22. Instituti Sekhmet
23. Instituti Musine Kokalari
24. Integra
25. Qendra Kosovare për Rehabilitimin e të Mbijetuarve të Torturës – KRCT
26. Fondi për të Drejtën Humanitare në Kosovë – HLCK
27. Iniciativa për Progres – INPO
28. Kosovo Women 4 Women – K-W4W
29. Advancing Together – AT
30. Çohu
31. Qendra Kosovare për Studime Sigurite – QKSS
32. Forumi Kosovar i Aftësive të Kufizuara – KDF
33. Pishtarët
34. Hyjneshat

The FOL movement, within the framework of the project “Raising citizens’ awareness and trust in the institutions of the justice system”, has continued monitoring the decisions of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council and the Kosovo Judicial Council regarding disciplinary complaints against judges and prosecutors, the number of investigative panels created and the type of disciplinary sanctions imposed by these institutions.

During the period of July to December 2023, the Prosecution Council of Kosovo issued 1 decision for disciplinary violations against prosecutors. The sanction imposed was a non-public written remark.

In the same timeframe, the Judicial Council of Kosovo issued 7 decisions for disciplinary violations against judges. The sanctions included 2 dismissal proposals, 2 written public remarks, 1 release from responsibility, 1 release for dismissing the complaint as impermissible, and 1 revocation of the suspension decision.

These statistics are based on official data received by the Judicial Council of Kosovo and the Prosecution Council of Kosovo.”

Further details, click here:

This project is funded by the European Union.