REGULATION NO. 2000/6

UNMIK/REG/2000/6

15 February 2000

 

 

ON THE APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL JUDGES AND INTERNATIONAL PROSECUTORS

 

 

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General,

 

Pursuant to the authority given to him under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999,

 

Taking into account United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Regulation No. 1999/1 of 25 July 1999, as amended, on the Authority of the Interim Administration in Kosovo,

 

For the purpose of assisting in the judicial process in Mitrovica,

 

Hereby promulgates the following:

 

 

Section 1

APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF  INTERNATIONAL JUDGES AND INTERNATIONAL PROSECUTORS

 

1.1     The Special Representative of the Secretary-General may appoint and remove from office international judges and international prosecutors, taking into account the criteria set forth under sections 2 and 4 of the present regulation.  Such appointments shall be made to the District Court of Mitrovica, other courts within the territorial jurisdiction of the District Court of Mitrovica and offices of the prosecutor with corresponding jurisdiction.

 

1.2     International judges shall have the authority and responsibility to perform the functions of their office, including the authority to select and take responsibility for new and pending criminal cases within the jurisdiction of the court to which he or she is appointed.

 

1.3     International prosecutors shall have the authority and responsibility to perform the functions of their office, including the authority and responsibility to conduct criminal investigations and to select and take responsibility for new and pending criminal investigations or proceedings within the jurisdiction of the office of the prosecutor to which he or she is appointed.

 

 

Section 2

CRITERIA FOR INTERNATIONAL JUDGES AND INTERNATIONAL PROSECUTORS

 

International judges and international prosecutors shall:

 

(a)    have a university degree in law;

 

(b)    have been appointed and have served, for a minimum of 5 years, as a judge or prosecutor in their respective home country;

 

(c)    be of high moral integrity; and

 

(d)    not have a criminal record.

 

 

Section 3

OATH OR SOLEMN DECLARATION

 

Upon appointment, each international judge and international prosecutor shall subscribe to the following oath or solemn declaration before the Special Representative of the Secretary-General:

 

“I,_______________, do hereby solemnly swear (or solemnly declare) that:

 

In carrying out the functions of my office, I shall act in accordance with the highest standards of professionalism and with utmost respect for the dignity of my office and the duties with which I have been entrusted.  I shall perform my duties and exercise my powers impartially, in accordance with my conscience and with the applicable law in Kosovo.

 

In carrying out the functions of my office, I shall uphold at all times the highest level of internationally recognized human rights, including those embodied in the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and its protocols.

 

In carrying out the functions of my office, I shall ensure at all times that the enjoyment of these human rights shall be secured to all persons in Kosovo without discrimination on any ground such as ethnicity, sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.”

 

 

Section 4

REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL JUDGES AND INTERNATIONAL PROSECUTORS

 

4.1     The Special Representative of the Secretary-General may remove from office an international judge or international prosecutor on any of the following grounds:

 

(a)     physical or mental incapacity which is likely to be permanent or prolonged;

 

(b)    serious misconduct;

 

(c)     failure in the due execution of office; or

 

(d)    having been placed, by personal conduct or otherwise, in a position incompatible with the due execution of office.

 

4.2     An international judge or international prosecutor shall not hold any other public or administrative office incompatible with his or her functions, or engage in any occupation of a professional nature, whether remunerative or not, or otherwise engage in any activity that is incompatible with his or her functions.

 

 

Section 5

APPLICABLE LAW

 

The present regulation shall supersede any provision in the applicable law relating to the appointment and removal from office of judges and prosecutors which is inconsistent with it.

 

 

Section 6

ENTRY INTO FORCE

 

The present regulation shall enter into force on 15 February 2000.

 

 

 

Bernard Kouchner

Special Representative of the Secretary-General