UNMIK Press Statement, 4 December 2017

4 Dec 2017

UNMIK Press Statement, 4 December 2017

4 December 2017 - Given recent statements and media reports regarding UNMIK’s role in relation to INTERPOL’s recent decision and functions, UNMIK wishes to provide this explanatory note: 

In line with UNMIK’s role under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999), in 2002 UNMIK entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with INTERPOL on “Cooperation in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice”. The purpose of this MoU was to establish a framework for cooperation between the parties including for the exchange of police information, the publication and circulation of INTERPOL notices, the transmission of diffusions and access to the INTERPOL network and databases. The MoU between INTERPOL and UNMIK remains in force. 

Therefore, UNMIK acts as an interface between the Kosovo authorities and INTERPOL, for all matters related to crime prevention, police cooperation and criminal justice.

In that context, in December 2016, UNMIK submitted a note to INTERPOL, originating from Kosovo authorities, asking the International Wanted Notices (IWNs) against 20 Kosovo habitual residents to be removed, on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999), as it has done in all such cases in the past. 

If there are questions regarding INTERPOL’s authority and internal procedures, and the latest decision, you may wish to contact INTERPOL directly.

Read the statement in Albanian here.

Read the statement in Serbian here.