The European Union has publicly come out against a possible vote in the Assembly of Kosovo on changes to the law on the Specialist Chambers, widely known as the Special Court. According to the EU’s official reaction in Kosovo, the initiative raises serious questions about the country’s international obligations and some of the most sensitive guarantees of the justice system.
Brussels signals concern ahead of the vote
In its response, the EU in Kosovo said it views with concern the announcement of a possible vote in the Assembly regarding the draft law amending and supplementing the Law on the Specialist Chambers.
The European bloc’s position comes at a sensitive stage, when any legal intervention affecting this mechanism is seen not only as an internal matter, but also as a test of Kosovo’s relationship with the commitments it has undertaken internationally.
What the EU sees as problematic
According to the EU’s official version, the proposed changes raise serious concerns about respect for the fundamental principles of the rule of law. In particular, it mentions judicial independence, the protection of victims and witnesses, the continuity of procedural rights, and effective accountability.
The response also says there are questions about the constitutionality of the changes, a signal that the debate is not being seen simply as technical, but as an intervention with potentially far-reaching consequences for the architecture of justice.
Clear demand: no approval without consultations
The EU has called for prior consultations with international partners before any approval takes place. This demand is presented as part of Kosovo’s obligations in relation to its international commitments.
According to the official response, the EU says that since the law was returned to the Assembly for reconsideration, it has been actively engaged in conveying its concerns and expectations to the Kosovo authorities.
Political message for Kosovo’s institutions
The EU’s reaction places the Assembly and Kosovo’s institutions before a strong political signal: any move on the Special Court will also be read through the lens of the rule of law and the state’s international credibility.
At this stage, it remains to be seen whether the parliamentary majority will move ahead with the vote or step back toward the consultations the EU is demanding.
The debate on the Specialist Chambers thus returns not only as a legal issue, but also as a test of how Kosovo’s institutions manage the relationship between day-to-day politics and obligations that go beyond the limits of a parliamentary mandate.
For now, the EU’s message is clear: such changes should not pass without prior consultation and without addressing concerns over judicial independence, witness protection, and the constitutional basis of the initiative.