MEETING BETWEEN THE DEPUTY OMBUDSPERSON AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SPECIAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT

30/04/2012

30 April 2012 – On 24 April 2012, the Deputy Ombudsperson Mr. Isa Hasani met with the President of the Special Chamber of the Supreme Court Mr. Sahit Sylejmani. During the meeting were discussed the issues related to both institutions, while the parties were focused particularly on the complaints filed by the citizens against the Special Chamber. Mr. Hasani expressed its concern regarding the issue of translation of documentations-submissions. The Special Chamber requires the parties who address this Chamber to submit documents translated into English language in accordance with the Law on the Special Chamber.
Mr. Hasani emphasized that the Constitution is the highest legal act of the Republic of Kosovo. The laws and other acts must be in accordance with the Constitution. For the Ombudsperson, the fact that the citizens are obliged to address the Special Chamber in non-official languages of Kosovo is unacceptable.
Mr. Sylejmani also emphasized that delayed translations of documentation are the biggest problem of this court. The delayed reviews of the cases occur also due to the translation of documentation. He added that the persons who are able to prove that they are under social assistance are released from translation fees. Also, Mr. Sylejmani mentioned the lack of local judges as an obstacle for normal functioning of this court. It is foreseen that 12 judges exercise their function in this court. But, so far only 7 judges have been recruited.
The Ombudsperson deems necessary establishing the translation services within the Special Chamber taking into account the composition of the Chamber, but it is not fair to oblige the citizens to submit their documentation translated into other languages. The Special Chamber should be given a financial support in order to strengthen the translation services with the Special Chamber of the Supreme Court itself.