Arifi: If no further amendments are made, it is likely that illegal documents will be accepted

Lawyer Alban Arifi, who was part of the working group when the Law on Foreigners was drafted, said that this law has been in force since 2013 with its amendments, but according to Arifi, if no further amendments are made, it will be difficult to implement.

Arifi, on the show "60 Minutes" on KTV, said that applying for a residence permit with identification documents issued by parallel structures is against the law.

"If the procedure does not begin with the amendment of the basic law and those that are currently in force, then we will face difficulties with the criteria, one of which is travel documents. In this specific case, foreigners who will apply for a residence permit based on identification documents issued by parallel structures are in conflict with the Law on Travel Documents, issued by the Republic of Kosovo on travel documents. I see difficulties because the Law on Foreigners must first be amended, then the Administrative Instruction on temporary permit procedures. Without amendment, it is likely that illegal ones will be accepted," said Arifi.

Lawyer Arifi said that the Kosovo Government's decision on these laws is also in violation of the Constitution of Kosovo.

"This decision is also in contradiction with the Constitution of Kosovo, Article 3, equal rights where all foreigners should be treated equally. It is necessary that the recognition of these documents be incorporated based on the Law on Foreigners and the Administrative Instruction on the procedures for issuing temporary residence," said Arifi.

Arifi also emphasized that this campaign was more informative, but there was no need for one since they have been in force for years and foreigners know these procedures.