For 54 months Human Dynamics provided technical assistance to the Kosovo Judicial Council and the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council to improve their capacities on the administration of the justice sector of Kosovo (courts and public prosecution). The project’s Final Conference was held on 12 April 2016 in Pristina, Kosovo, celebrating what had been achieved and discussing the way forward.
The Project successfully implemented all the 67 activities planned and provided more than 250 outputs across the four and a half years. This included developing a system of recruitment, appointment, performance evaluation and disciplinary proceedings for judges and prosecutors. Further, the overall access to legal documents was improved. The Project undertook the first steps to establish a National Centralised Criminal Records System.
The Project had a team of altogether 28 international experts and 10 local experts in Kosovo and on international workshops and study tours. It supported the drafting of recommendations and proposals for by-laws, standard operating procedures, instructions and delivered numerous trainings.
The Final Conference drew together leaders from the Kosovo legal community. During the event, the Council's Chairpersons Mr. Nehat Idrizi and Mr. Blerim Isufaj, as well as the Chief State Prosecutor Mr. Aleksander Lumezi each share their perspective on the project's impact.
The EU who had financed the project and supported its delivery were represented by Mr Christof Stock and Ms Julia Jacoby. Other notable guests included the Councils’ members, representatives of the Office of Disciplinary Council, and the Ministry of Justice.
When handing over the voluminous Final Report to the EU Office in Kosovo, Dr Oliver Mader, the Project Director, mentioned the significant importance of the 4 components (organisational support, capacity building, the advice on appointments, evaluation, disciplinary matter, access to legal documents) for the benefit of the country. He stated that the National Centralised Criminal Records System was not only important for avoiding impunity but also for the introduction of the visa liberalisation for Kosovars. He explained why the Project turned out to be a good example of the project method of EU assistance with a clear timeframe, prescribed activities and results.