UNMIK/PR/140
Prishtina/Pristina – One hundred thirty-seven judges, prosecutors and lay judges for the Pristina region were sworn in today by UNMIK in response to the urgent need of providing judicial services.
“The opening and strengthening of the Judiciary brings about a new democratic era, where all Kosovo citizens stand to realize and enjoy their maximum rights to life, liberty, property and freedom,” Enrique Aguilar, Pristina Regional Administrator, told the jurists before they took the oath of office and received their letters of appointment at a ceremony at UNMIK headquarters.
The one-year appointments included representatives of the Supreme Court of Kosovo, the High Court of Minor Offences, the Prishtina/Pristina District Court, the Prishtina/Pristina Municipal Court, the Minor Offences Court, the Prishtina/Pristina Commercial Court, the Ferizaj/Urosevac Municipal Court, the Podujeva/Podejevo Municipal Court, the Podujeva/Podujevo Minor Offences Court, the Lipjan/Lipljan Municipal Court, the Lipjan/Lipljan Minor Offences Court and the Prishtina/Pristina District Lay Judges. The appointments took effect 1 January 2000.
“I express confidence and hope that your appointments will provide a new impetus in our concerted efforts to uproot crime and to foster multi-ethnic coexistence as well as a culture of tolerance to divergent political opinion towards a democratic and pluralistic society,” Aguilar said.
The appointees agreed to carry out their functions of their office in an independent and impartial manner while upholding the law and acting in accordance with the highest standards of professionalism.
“The swearing in of judges and public prosecutors today marks not only the re-establishment of the courts and prosecutors offices in Pristina District, but especially a step towards the reinstatement of the rule of law in Kosovo,” said Rolf Welberts, Head of Human Rights and Rule of Law Division for the OSCE.