UNDP in Kosovo launched on 23 January the "Improving Access to Justice and Rule of Law Reform" project in a roundtable discussion with judges and prosecutors in which the Law on Mediation was discussed.

The project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway through the Royal Embassy of Norway in Kosovo, aims to support reform in the justice sector, improve access to justice for citizens, promote and protect human rights for vulnerable groups including minorities, women and children, and support justice institutions in increasing their efficiency.

The discussion focused on the implementation of the Law on Mediation, as well as the Juvenile Justice Code (regarding mediation). The discussion was attended by more than 50 judges and prosecutors from all branches of the Mitrovica Basic Court, including municipalities in northern Kosovo, and the Mitrovica Basic Prosecution Office.

Participants at the roundtable also discussed the ability for the mediation law to act as an alternative case resolution mechanism, which will assist both prosecutors and the courts in reducing the number of cases and improve access to justice for citizens. The law, for the first time, foresees the functioning of the mediation process through the basic courts.

Alessandra Roccasalvo, UNDP Resident Representative a.i., H.E. Strand Sjaastad, Ambassador of Norway in Kosovo, Nehat Idrizi, Head of the Kosovo Judicial Council, Bahri Hyseni, Head of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council, Nikola Kabašić, President of the Basic Court in Mitrovica, Shyqyri Syla, Chief Prosecutor of the Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica participated at the event and addressed the gathering.

For more information, please contact:

Burbuqe Dobranja, UNDP Communications Associate

Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 410; mobile: 049 720 800; e-mail: burbuqe.dobranja@undp.org

Danijela Mitić, UNDP Communication Analyst

Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 412; mobile: 049 720 824; e-mail: danijela.mitic@undp.org