Human Rights Watch has been engaged in monitoring human rights abuses and accountability efforts in Kosovo for more than a decade. In that context, we would like to bring to your attention to what we assess to be key priorities for the successful implementation of EULEX’s mandate.

Kosovo’s government should fully cooperate with the European Union’s newly deployed rule-of-law mission in reforming Kosovo’s criminal justice system that remains extremely weak, despite efforts to strengthen it over the past two years, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. The EU mission (known as “EULEX”) is expected to lead justice reform efforts. The riots in Mitrovica on March 17, 2008, underscore the need for Kosovo to build a strong and effective criminal justice system to deter, investigate and prosecute any such acts of violence.

As Kosovo is poised to declare independence, the new government and its international partners should build a state based on democratic principles and the rule of law, Human Rights Watch said in a seven-point human rights agenda for Kosovo issued today. The European Union-led mission charged with stabilizing the breakaway province once it secedes from Serbia should take urgent steps to prevent human rights abuses, particularly against minorities and women.

I am writing on behalf of Human Rights Watch to ask you to re-open the selection procedure for the post of Ombudsperson, in order to ensure that the person selected has the proper qualifications for this important, independent role.

The criminal justice system continues to fail victims in Kosovo, despite almost seven years of international administration, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. Kosovo’s future status is currently the subject of intense negotiations mediated by the international community.

Following the arrest of three Kosovar Albanians indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) by NATO forces, Human Rights Watch said today that the event is an important step for the cause of justice in the Balkans.

As researchers for Human Rights Watch in Kosovo, we solemnly went about our work, taking photographs and interviewing surviving members of the Delijaj family. Journalists in the Balkans often asked me whether there would be justice for murders like these. I had always assured them there would be, hoping my enthusiasm would make it a reality. But in truth, I never let myself believe that Slobodan Milosevic would be arrested. I never thought then, standing in the forest, that one day I would face Yugoslavia's former president in court.

Since the beginning of the trial of Slobodan Milosevic, the Yugoslav media have been flooded with praise for Milosevic's defense. If you were relying on this commentary alone, you would have to conclude that Milosevic is getting the better of the tribunal prosecutors.