UNMIK, justice workers resume talks

Serb justice workers in Kosovska Mitrovica have held their second meeting in the space of a month and a half with UNMIK officials responsible for the judiciary. At the meeting, they reiterated their desire to return to the jobs from which they were dismissed in 1999. UNMIK, justice workers resume talks UNMIK representatives said that they hoped a decision would soon be reached allowing the District and Municipal Courts in Kosovska Mitrovica to recommence work. The acting director of UNMIK’s Justice Department, Robert Dean, said that opinions had been exchanged during the meeting, adding that he was looking forward to a second meeting in the near future, in order to find a solution for re-opening the court in Mitrovica. District Court Public Prosecutor Milan Bigovic said that they had agreed to hold a new meeting very soon, maybe in the course of next week, and that both sides would put forward concrete proposals. Bigovic said that that was necessary for the judiciary system in the region to start functioning. He reiterated that Serb employees wanted to work in the District and Municipality Court buildings, stating that the matter could be resolved via an agreement. Serb judiciary workers have been protesting in Kosovska Mitrovica since February 21, with matters coming to a head on March 17 when UNMIK police raided the courthouse building, sparking riots that claimed the life of one Ukrainian police, and left over 100 civilians and soldiers injured.

UNMIK, justice workers resume talks

UNMIK representatives said that they hoped a decision would soon be reached allowing the District and Municipal Courts in Kosovska Mitrovica to recommence work.

The acting director of UNMIK’s Justice Department, Robert Dean, said that opinions had been exchanged during the meeting, adding that he was looking forward to a second meeting in the near future, in order to find a solution for re-opening the court in Mitrovica.

District Court Public Prosecutor Milan Bigović said that they had agreed to hold a new meeting very soon, maybe in the course of next week, and that both sides would put forward concrete proposals.

Bigović said that that was necessary for the judiciary system in the region to start functioning.

He reiterated that Serb employees wanted to work in the District and Municipality Court buildings, stating that the matter could be resolved via an agreement.

Serb judiciary workers have been protesting in Kosovska Mitrovica since February 21, with matters coming to a head on March 17 when UNMIK police raided the courthouse building, sparking riots that claimed the life of one Ukrainian police, and left over 100 civilians and soldiers injured.