Disputed agreement reached - Denmark transfers foreign criminals to prisons in Kosovo.
A brief moment made it seem like Denmark's arrangement with Kosovo might not go through. Months of talks between both countries appeared to disintegrate, but the Danish government's plan of housing prisoners in Kosovo was saved.
The approval was finally given by the Kosovar parliament - after a lengthy period of uncertainty regarding whether it would even occur. 86 deputies supported it, while seven opposed. The Danish parliament had already agreed.
The agreement was originally decided back in 2022 but had been lingering in the Kosovar parliament. The opposition in the Balkan state had stalled the ratification of all international agreements until new elections took place. A two-thirds majority was required for the approval of such agreements.
A setback occurred in May: The deal fell through due to the obstruction of the opposition in the Kosovar parliament, causing the government to renegotiate with Denmark. A week later, the Kosovar government presented the exact same draft to the deputies, according to Deputy Justice Minister Blerim Sallahu on Radio Free Europe. This version is now in effect and will last for five years, with an option for extension.
The 18-page contract entails Denmark leasing more than 300 cells in the Gjilan Prison in the south of the country. Prisoners condemned to deportation can serve their Danish prison sentences in conditions largely equivalent to Danish prisons. The prison is undergoing renovation. Expected to begin operations in roughly two years. Early projections had suggested 2023 would be the date of inception. Around 200 people are currently confined in the Gjilan prison - they'll be relocated.
The agreement specifies that prisoners convicted of terrorism and war crimes, alongside those with mental health issues, won't be transferred to Kosovo. Netherlands already has a similar collaboration - Norway and Belgium lease prison cells.
The reason behind the Danish-Kosovar pact is Denmark's overcrowded prisons. "This is crucial for us to secure more prison spaces in Denmark and will assist in balancing our overburdened prison system," claimed Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard.
Danish prisons have seen a nearly 20% increase in inmates from 2015 to over 4,000 by early 2021. Prisons are formally overcrowded by more than 100%. Concurrently, there's been a decrease of 18% in prison guards plus additional criminal laws were implemented.
Simultaneously, it signifies a message to foreign criminals that their future lies outside of Denmark and shouldn't be spent there. The deal involves deporting convicted criminals from Kosovo directly to their home countries. It's a strong stance from the government.
On the other hand, numerous criticisms are voiced. Hykmete Bajrami, an opposition politician in Kosovo, asserted on Facebook, "the approval of this agreement is an error; we should not turn Kosovo into a location where prisoners are sent."
The United Nations Committee against Torture shares these concerns and nudges Denmark to drop its prison aspirations. The Danish Institute against Torture (Dignity) also expresses concern. While the facility will be revamped to adhere to Danish standards, numerous elements of the deal raise concerns, stated Therese Rytter, Legal Director at news agency Ritzau. There are also issues with human rights; physical abuse is reportedly "present in prison culture in Kosovo."
"We have received extremely credible allegations of physical abuse, such as blows and kicks, whilst handcuffed."
Furthermore, investigations into such incidents will be handled by the Kosovar police, not the Danish Police. Therefore, there's a chance that no action will be taken against prison guards who commit lawbreaking.
Justice Minister Hummelgaard concedes these worries but asserts the prison will be under Danish leadership, with Kosovar prison staff trained.
However, the agreement's impact is uncertain. The Danish Association of Prison Officers doubts it'll make a difference. "Certainly, the occupancy will slightly diminish," said their chairperson, Bo Yde Sørensen, on Danish radio. "On the other hand, one has been concentrating on imposing harsher sentences in the last ten years. (...) I find it hard to envision that Denmark will have fewer prisoners if we transfer 300 to Kosovo."
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- Despite the concerns raised by human rights organizations and opposition politicians in Kosovo, Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard defended the decision to deport some foreign criminals to prisons in Pristina, stating that it would help alleviate overcrowding in Danish prisons.
- In response to Denmark's plan to transfer convicted foreign criminals to Kosovo's Gjilan Prison, Peter Hummelgaard, the Danish Justice Minister, travelled to Copenhagen to meet with Kosovo's Deputy Justice Minister Blerim Sallahu to resolve any remaining issues before the agreement could be finalized.
- Following the approval of the agreement to transfer Danish convicts to Kosovo's prisons, Peter Hummelgaard, the Danish Justice Minister, announced that the first group of prisoners would be relocated to the Gjilan Prison in Pristina, significantly reducing overcrowding in the Danish prison system.
Source: www.stern.de
