The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) welcomes the de-escalation of tensions in northern Kosovo and the restoration of freedom of movement for everyone living and working in the four northern municipalities following the removal of the illegal barricades. 

From the day barricades were set up until the day they were removed, EULEX supported Kosovo’s rule-of-law institutions in maintaining the stability of Kosovo and the security of all its communities in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and with KFOR.

Since the beginning of November, EULEX responded to formal requests of the Kosovo Police by:

• significantly increasing its 24/7 reconnaissance patrols and by introducing foot patrols by members of its Formed Police Unit and Reserve Formed Police Unit in northern Kosovo to closely monitor the security situation on the ground.
• delivering essential supplies to the Kosovo Police officers at the Rudnica/Jarinjë Common Crossing Point on 17 December.
• accompanying regular Kosovo Police officers rotating and replacing regular police officers at the police station in Leposavić/Leposaviq on 24 December.

In line with its mandate, which envisages a robust monitoring of the entire justice chain, EULEX is also closely monitoring the case of D.P. to assess how it is handled by Kosovo’s authorities.

In particular, the Mission:

• advocated for the safeguard of D. P.'s fundamental rights by the Kosovo authorities.
• facilitated the transport of medicines of D.P. 
• conducted two medical examinations of D. P. on 17 and 24 December, following a request by the responsible Kosovo authorities.
• provided support to the Kosovo Police in transferring D.P. to his place of residence on 28 December, following a formal request by the Kosovo authorities and in line with the decision to place D.P. under house arrest.

Still, the security and rule-of-law vacuum created after the resignations of Kosovo Serb police officers, prosecutors, judges and support staff is persisting. EULEX can only partially fill this vacuum through is increased presence on the ground, but the Mission cannot replace the Kosovo Police or any other rule-of-law authorities. A return to the relevant Dialogue agreements regulating the integration of the Kosovo Police and judiciary is therefore essential.

Within the confines of its mandate, the Mission will continue working with determination to support the stability of Kosovo, as well as the security of all its communities. 

To this end, EULEX will closely monitor relevant investigations and any subsequent legal proceedings to promote respect for human rights.

In this respect and for the Kosovo judiciary and police to uphold the rule of law and carry out their responsibilities independently under Kosovo and international law without political or other forms of inference or intimidation, it is essential that decisions taken by individual judges and prosecutors as well as by the police, on behalf of their institutions are only challenged in terms of such decisions' legal merits.