Gashi Urged EU to Create Special Hague War Crimes Court
The proposal follows criticism of the Belgrade War Crimes Court for low conviction rates in Kosovo massacre cases.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Shkëlzen Gashi has called for the European Union to establish a Special Court in The Hague to address unprosecuted war crimes in Kosovo. He contends that the current Belgrade War Crimes Court has failed to secure accountability for the vast majority of atrocities documented during the 1998-1999 conflict.
Why it matters
The proposal highlights a significant gap in justice for 105 documented massacres, with Gashi arguing that international oversight is necessary to ensure perpetrators face trial. This move seeks to address the frustration surrounding the Belgrade court's limited success in prosecuting war-time violence.
The Belgrade War Crimes Court has only reached final convictions in three of 105 documented massacres. Cases involving the massacres in Lubeniq and Qyshk have remained ongoing since 2014.
The players
Shkëlzen Gashi
He is an advocate who has publicly criticized the judicial response to war crimes committed during the conflict in Kosovo.
Belgrade War Crimes Court
This is the primary judicial body in Serbia responsible for prosecuting war crimes related to the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.
The details
Gashi pointed to successful prosecutions like those of Saša Cvjetan, Radojko Repanović, and Rajko Kozlina as rare exceptions within a system he deems largely ineffective. He asserts that Serbia must be held accountable for the remaining crimes, contrasting the existing Serbian judicial process with the proposed international alternative.
Timeline
Massacres occurred in Kosovo during the 1998-1999 war.
Saša Cvjetan was sentenced in 2004 for the Podujevë massacre.
Radojko Repanović was sentenced in 2009 for the Suharekë massacre.
Proceedings for the Lubeniq and Qyshk cases have been ongoing since 2014.
Rajko Kozlina was sentenced in 2019 for the Tërnje massacre.
The Big Picture
This proposal reflects a broader effort to model international justice after the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. It posits that a specialized international court could succeed where domestic jurisdictions have stalled.
The proposal highlights potential shifts in international legal oversight that could impact how war crimes are addressed globally. Increased international scrutiny may lead to new judicial structures or changes in regional legal cooperation.
The takeaway
This push for a new tribunal underscores the ongoing difficulty of securing legal accountability long after a conflict ends. Establishing specialized international courts remains a primary, if contested, method for pursuing justice when domestic systems are viewed as inadequate.
Further reading
For more information on the evolution of international legal standards, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Albeu.com - Lajmet e fundit dhe jo vetëm!.
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