Participants of the workshop on preventing and combating domestic violence and violence against women in February 2025 in Pristina Kosovo
Together with the Kosovan police, the IRZ held the above-mentioned workshop in Pristina from 20 to 21 February 2025 as a kick-off event for the supra-regional project ‘Promoting the rule of law in the Western Balkans’, which is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.
The almost 40 police officers from across Kosovo, as well as representatives from the Public Prosecutors Office and the probation service, first received an overview from the Kosovan side of the development of new capacities within the relevant police departments for dealing with domestic violence. For example, there are specially designed rooms for the protection of victims, information cards with contact and support options, intensified prevention campaigns and the development of a central database on cases of domestic violence. The introduction of electronic ankle bracelets is also planned. The German experts explained how the police handle cases of domestic violence and police measures in Germany. They described the work with perpetrators and victims, as well as the cooperation with family courts and the possibilities for protection under criminal and civil law. On the basis of the presented regulations of the German Protection against Violence Act in comparison to the Kosovan law adopted in 2023, there were some lively discussions and questions on points such as victim protection, protection orders and addiction problems.
The problems and challenges in implementing the law on domestic violence were discussed constructively and sometimes controversially, but ultimately promoted mutual understanding for the further implementation of the law. Another positive aspect to be highlighted is the increased awareness and transparency in cases of domestic violence in Kosovo. However, the number of unreported assaults is still high, as it is in Germany. During the exchange, it became clear that many cases in Kosovo are not reported because, according to the participants, the number of women not in employment is comparatively high, particularly in rural areas, and there is often a ‘culture of trivialising’ domestic violence.
Panel discussion (from right to left): Dragomir Yordanov (Project Expert), Alban Krasniqi (Project Expert), Enver Fejzullahu (Director of the Kosovo Judicial Academy); Jörn Rohde, (Ambassador of Germany), Blerim Sallahu (Deputy Minister of Justice); Mentor Borovci (Director of the Legal Office of the Prime Ministry), Kristian Turkajl (Project Expert), Idlir Peci (Project Expert) and Carin Lobbezoo (Ambassador of the Netherlands). Kosovo
After a duration of more than 45 months, the closing event of the EU project EUKOJUST took place in Pristina on June 19, 2024. The event was attended by high-ranking representatives of the Kosovan judiciary.
The large-scale project financed by the European Commission, which was led by IRZ and implemented in cooperation with the Dutch partner CILC and the Croatian Ministry of Justice, created a solid basis for further judicial reforms in Kosovo with numerous activities after around four years.
The aim of the project was to provide targeted support to the Kosovan judiciary in the implementation of comprehensive judicial reform, with a focus on increasing the efficiency and transparency of the judicial system and developing and harmonizing the legal framework in Kosovo.
The project partners include the Kosovo Ministry of Justice, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council, the Kosovo Judicial Council, the Kosovo Judicial Academy, judges, prosecutors, court and prosecution staff, legal professionals and civil society organizations in the justice sector.
In his opening speech, EU Ambassador Tomas Szyong thanked the project partners for their outstanding cooperation – the basis for the results achieved in the project. Kosovo's Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu also emphasized that EUKOJUST had made a significant contribution to the implementation of the reforms envisaged in the national justice strategy during the project. She emphasized the significant support in restructuring the Ministry of Justice in order to create an institutional basis for the successful implementation of the ongoing reforms.
In his speech, the President of IRZ, Parliamentary State Secretary Benjamin Strasser, emphasized the importance of the joint inter-institutional commitment to judicial reform and thanked all those involved for their commitment under the initially difficult and extraordinary conditions at the beginning of the pandemic.
The project manager of IRZ, Teresa Thalhammer, looked back on the 45-month project duration and emphasized that a particularly trusting and reliable cooperation from the very beginning was the basis for the constructive cooperation and the achievement of the goals set in the project. The reform process was in full swing and she hoped that the project partners would be equipped with the necessary tools, methods and specialist knowledge to continue along this path thanks to the support provided.
In two thematic panel discussions, the long-term experts of the project, together with representatives of the competent judicial authorities and the Dutch, Croatian and German ambassadors, reflected on the challenges and milestones of the digitalization of the judiciary and legislation.
The Kosovan partners were very satisfied with the results achieved and the support provided by the dedicated national and international project team and emphasized the need to extend the project.
EU Ambassador Tomas Szyong during his opening speech.Panel discussion (from right to left): Cristian Nicoara (Project Expert), Ardian Hajdaraj (Chairman of the Prosecutorial Council) Danijela Barisic (Ambassador of Croatia), Albulena Haxhiu, (Minister of Justice), Albert Zogaj (Chairman of the Judicial Council), Arben Isufi (Project Expert), Volkmar Theobald (Team Leader).IRZ President, Parliamentary State Secretary Benjamin Strasser during his speech.
On the podium (from left to right): Katrin Latki-Baier, PR and Communications Consultant, Brigitte Koppenhöfer, Former Presiding Judge at Düsseldorf Regional Court, Lore Binder, Project Manager, IRZ, Mustaf Tahiri, President of Ferizaj Local Court. Kosovo
The internal and external communication of the courts and the use of social media play an important role in the external impact of the judiciary and so these topics were the focus of a workshop in June 2024 in Pristina, organised by IRZ in cooperation with the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC).
IRZ has been supporting Kosovar courts on communication issues for several years. At this event, judges took part for the first time alongside the press spokespersons of the courts.
The aim of this workshop, led by Brigitte Koppenhöfer, former presiding judge at Düsseldorf Regional Court, and Katrin Latki-Baier, PR and communications consultant, was to promote professional press and public relations work in the courts in order to strengthen transparency and the public's trust in the judiciary.
Communication of the courts with the media
In addition to the focus on "social media", the topic of "communication between judicial authorities and the media" received special attention. This aspect was of great importance to the judiciary, as many judges are unsure how to deal with media enquiries. In principle, they must be very careful when making public statements so as not to jeopardise the independence and neutrality of the judiciary. At the same time, they are faced with the challenge of presenting complex legal issues in a way that is understandable to laypeople.
The experts also emphasised the importance of cooperation between judges and press offices as well as clear coordination processes in order to send well thought-out messages. They emphasised the strengthening of internal communication towards effective cooperation between the judiciary and press officers as a decisive factor for success.
Use of social media by judicial authorities
The speakers emphasised the growing importance of social media platforms to communicate directly and promptly with the public. They presented various strategies and best practices on how courts can use social media to increase their reach, create transparency and strengthen the trust of the public. They highlighted both the opportunities and the challenges.
The event offered participants the opportunity to engage in dialogue, share experiences and build communication structures using practical case studies.
