With 81 votes in favor, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo today voted in first reading the Draft Law on the State Bureau for Verification and Confiscation of Unjustified Assets, marking an important step in strengthening the mechanisms for combating corruption and confiscating unjustified assets.

Besides presenting the draft law, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Donika Gërvalla answered questions made by MEPs, providing detailed explanations on the content of the draft law.

Minister Gërvalla said the Government of Kosovo will use the Draft Law on the Bureau to fight corruption as pledged.

“We do not want to make the impression of fighting corruption, actually we want, as pledged, to fight it,” said Minister Gërvalla.

Minister Gërvalla also placed special emphasis on the independence of the Bureau, emphasizing that it is accountable to the Assembly and not the executive, which guarantees independent and impartial functioning.

“The independence of the Bureau is a very important element; therefore, it is worth being maximally respectful to Bureau’s independence, being accountable to the Assembly rather than Government, not only when but also after adopting it.

Further, Minister Gërvalla explained that the Draft Law on the Bureau fully defines the civil confiscation procedure, including all essential elements such as the initiation of the procedure, the collection and verification of information, judicial treatment and final decision-making.

She said the draft law regulated directly all issues related to the rights and obligations of the parties and the bylaws would only cover the administrative aspects of the internal functioning of the Bureau.

Speaking about the concerns regarding the inclusion of family members, she explained that the draft law did not target ordinary citizens, unless there are significant wealth discrepancy.

“We have no willingness to find any reason, nor family, nor social, nor professional, nor health, nor moral, to amnesty those who have acquired wealth at the expense of the taxpayer”, declared Minister Gërvalla.

In conclusion, Minister Gërvalla reiterated that any amendment would be reviewed at the appropriate parliamentary stage, with the aim of further improving this draft law.