The European Union did not want to comment on the initiative of the Democratic Party of Kosovo sent to the Kosovo Assembly to amend the Law on Specialized Chambers.
EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Christian Wigand, said at a press conference on Tuesday that the EU does not comment on announcements or plans. However, Wigand said that the EU's support for the Kosovo Specialist Chambers remains.
He said that the Special Court is an independent legal institution, operating within the legal system of Kosovo, and that its work is supported by the EU.
"And as I have emphasized here before, those convicted in the first instance certainly have the right to appeal the verdict before independent judges of the Appeals Chamber, in a special panel of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. But, again, I think our support for the Chambers is stable and will continue," said Wigand.
Wigand said that the Specialist Chambers are delivering justice by conducting fair, impartial and independent judicial proceedings, based on the principle of individual responsibility.
"I reiterate that convicted persons have the right to appeal against the verdict," Wigand said.
On September 16, the Special Chamber sentenced the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army to a total of 81 years in prison for war crimes. Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi were sentenced to 25 years in prison each, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi to 13.
Wigand also declined to comment on the question of whether the Prosecution has fulfilled its mandate to prosecute all alleged war crimes during the 1998/99 period.
The Democratic Party of Kosovo, through legal changes, aims to limit the mandate of the Special Committee and international monitoring of its work.
On Monday, the leader of the PDK, Bedri Hamza, announced that they have proceeded in the Assembly with the initiative to amend the Law on Specialized Chambers and the Specialized Prosecutor's Office.
Hamza said that since the Special Chamber was created to address the allegations raised in Dick Marty's report, charges related to organ trafficking and crimes against humanity should be tried in The Hague, while cases related to war crimes should be transferred to Kosovo.