Through its Case Monitoring Unit, the Monitoring Pillar conducts a robust monitoring of selected cases which cover the entire chain of criminal justice, as well as civil justice cases on property and privatization issues. The Case Monitoring Unit focuses on cases which were dealt with by EULEX under its previous mandate that ended in mid-June 2018 and were later handed over to the local judiciary, as well as other cases, including high-profile cases, war crimes cases, gender-based violence cases, corruption cases, property cases and terrorism cases. To do that, the Case Monitoring Unit assesses the functioning of the Kosovo judiciary in terms of procedural, legal, and human rights compliance. The assessment is carried out through robust systemic and thematic monitoring of selected cases at the entire chain of the criminal justice system, namely on police, prosecutorial and judicial level. From 15 June 2018 to 14 June 2023, EULEX’s justice monitors attended 1940 court sessions in 330 active criminal and civil cases. This robust monitoring resulted in five reports with findings and recommendations for the Kosovo authorities aimed at addressing the identified shortcomings and at improving the justice system. In May 2021, the Mission published a special report on the impact of COVID-19 on the rule of law in Kosovo. In 2022, the Mission issued the special report “Assessment of the Handling of Rape Cases by the Justice System in Kosovo” and in 2023, the Mission published the report “Application of Conditional release in Kosovo: Findings and Recommendations”.

Through its Correctional Unit, the Monitoring Pillar also supports the Kosovo Correctional Service’s (KCS) efforts to develop a professional management team through monitoring, mentoring and advising. This is achieved thanks to a regular and mobile presence by the EULEX correctional experts in all correctional facilities in Kosovo and through numerous meetings with KCS staff. The Correctional Unit also helps the KCS increase its capacities in providing rehabilitation of prisoners, in countering undue interference and preferential treatment of inmates, and in preventing reoffending. Since 2021 EULEX is also supporting the Kosovo Probation Service (KPS) From 15 June 2018 to 14 June 2023, EULEX’s Correctional Unit staff have conducted over 800 field visits to various correctional facilities and to the regional probation offices, and had hundreds of meetings with KCS and KPS staff to support the management in addressing strategic issues. In addition, EULEX’s Correctional Unit has monitored 109 hospital escorts of high-profile prisoners from 15 June 2018 to 14 June 2023.

Through EULEX’s Senior Police Advisors in northern Kosovo, the Monitoring Pillar advises the Regional Directorate of Police in Mitrovica North and the four police stations under its command on number of issues related to the provision of policing services, including community policing, and working in a multi-ethnic environment.