07/12/2015 Political Affairs and Democracy
The first and foremost priority for the Kosovo* authorities should be ensuring respect for the rule of law and its effective enforcement, according to the PACE Political Affairs and Democracy Committee. “Endemic and widespread corruption” in all aspects of government, justice and the economy negatively impacts the lives of people in Kosovo, irrespective of their community.
In unanimously adopting a draft resolution on the situation in Kosovo and the role of the Council of Europe, on the basis of a report prepared by Augustín Conde (Spain, EPP/CD), the committee acknowledged the progress achieved in the area of democracy, with the holding of legislative elections in 2014, and welcomed the adoption of the constitutional amendments which paved the way for the creation of specialist chambers. It did, however, condemn all manifestations of violence: those happening in a legislative chamber being of “special gravity” and “liable to undermine people’s trust in democratic institutions.”
As regards the protection of human rights and inter-community relations, while recognising that the general security climate has improved, the committee called on the authorities not to relent their vigilance.
With regard to the continuation of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, the availability of a European perspective for both and the further strengthening of the standards of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Kosovo “are of major importance for Kosovo’s democratic security as well as for the stability of the region of the western Balkans as a whole”.
The committee proposes that the PACE step up dialogue with the Assembly of Kosovo and recommends that its Bureau modify the current format for co-operation with the political forces elected to the Assembly of Kosovo, with a view to inviting the Assembly of Kosovo to designate a delegation which would ensure the representation of minority communities, in addition to the majority and the opposition.
*All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.