rollo

Taking into consideration the new reality on the ground, the Security Council Presidential Statement of 26 November 2008 (S/PRST/2008/44),welcomed the Secretary-General’s report of 24 November 2008 (S/2008/692),which reported that the Secretary-General had instructed the Head of UNMIK to facilitate European Union preparations to undertake an enhanced operational role in Kosovo in the rule of law area, with full respect for Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) and operating under the overall authority and within the status-neutral framework of the United Nations.
 
Following this Presidential Statement, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) deployed throughout Kosovo on 9 December 2008.
 
Consequently, UNMIK ceased the bulk of its rule of law operations and reconfigured its relevant components into the Rule of Law Liaison Office (RoLLO) and the Office of the Senior Police Advisor. RoLLO monitors activities in the area of rule of law and continues to fulfill certain necessary functions that neither EULEX nor the Kosovo institutions are able to exercise.
 
In this regard, UNMIK facilitates relations between Member States that do not recognise Kosovo and the Kosovo institutions in the area of rule of law. Specifically, UNMIK facilitates the issuance of International Wanted Notices (“Red Notices”) through INTERPOL, and, upon request, the exchange of information on mutual legal assistance and other rule of law-related matters.
 
UNMIK liaises with EULEX, the Kosovo Ministry of Justice and other judicial institutions, for the performance of its responsibilities, and as required to support the strengthening of rule of law institutions.
 
Furthermore, RoLLO provides certification of civil documents needed by Kosovo residents in their dealings with non-recognising Member States; these include primarily the certification of civil status, pension and school documents.  In these areas, UNMIK enjoys good cooperation at the technical level with relevant local authorities.
 
RoLLO, together with the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, also assists the important Belgrade-Pristina cooperation on missing persons. An UNMIK representative serves as part of the Pristina Delegation in the Working Group on Missing Persons, chaired by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). UNMIK also facilitates the participation of Kosovo representatives in regular Working Group meetings in Belgrade.
 
The residual functions of the UNMIK Police Component include: monitoring and reporting on security issues; providing advice on police-related issues to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and other UNMIK senior management; facilitating the cooperation of the Kosovo Police with police authorities of non-recognising Member States and international police organizations, including INTERPOL; facilitating the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade; and supporting EULEX operations and initiatives in accordance with UNMIK's mandate, wherever necessary and possible.