UNMIK/PR/43

Press Release

14 September 1999     

PRISTINA- Bernard Kouchner, the Special Representative of the Secretary General and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, appointed five judges to the Ad Hoc Court of Final Appeal and two prosecutors to the Ad Hoc Office of the Public Prosecutor today. 

The Ad Hoc Court of Final Appeal will have the powers of the Supreme Court, which exercised jurisdiction in Kosovo, and will play an important role in criminal cases including appeals of rulings from the District Courts.

"These appointments are another significant addition to the Emergency Judicial System put in place during the last months," Kouchner told the jurists. "You’re appointment comes at a time when Kosovo’s judiciary faces its most difficult challenge - the transformation to a democratic and multi-ethnic judiciary."

Rexhep Haxhimusa, Pjeter Pergjokaj, Zait Xhemajli, Aziz Rexha and Ali Qosaj were appointed as judges of the Ad Hoc Court of Final Appeal. Halil Halilaj and Bademe Slamniku were appointed as Public Prosecutors in the Ad Hoc Office of the Public Prosecutor. Mr. Haxhimusa was also appointed as the President of the Ad Hoc Court of Final Appeal and Mr. Halilaj was named as Chief Public Prosecutor in the Ad Hoc Office of the Public Prosecutor.

"The text of the oath reminds us of the important adherence of the judiciary to the fundamental principles of upholding the law and non-discrimination," said Kouchner to the jurists as they took their oaths of office at the District Courthouse in Pristina. "These two principles, endorsed in many international covenants, shall thus be the main pillars of Kosovo’s future judiciary - bound by universally recognized legal standards, and open and impartial towards every citizen in Kosovo, regardless of their ethnicity, language or political affiliation."

There were no Kosovo Serb candidates for any of these positions, however, Dr. Kouchner said he will remain committed to finding qualified Serb candidiates to sit on the court.

The appointments are provisional, for initial three-month, renewable terms, until a regular judicial commission is established.