European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo) is a deployment of European Union (EU) police and civilian resources to Kosovo. This Common Security and Defence Policy diplomatic mission is the international civil presence in Kosovo operating under the umbrella of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.

Serbia and a number of countries had initially strictly objected to the mission and supported UNMIK, demanding approval by the United Nations Security Council, which was rendered in late 2008. After signing a five-point plan between Serbia and the UN, the UN Security Council approved the addition of the EULEX as an assistance mission subjected to the UNMIK, rather than outright replacing it.

The mission included around 3,200 police and judicial personnel (1,950 international, 1,250 local), and began a four-month deployment process on 16 February 2008. In September 2012, the Kosovo Assembly voted to extend EULEX to 2014. In April 2014, the Kosovo Assembly once again voted to extend EULEX's mandate, this time until June 2016. The European Council decided to extend the mandate of the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo until 14 June 2018. Current Head of Mission of EULEX is Ms. Alexandra Papadopoulou

In 2013 "an international panel of judges from the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo" convicted 5 people for illegal organ trade. The charges don’t relate directly to the war years, they are centered on Medicus, a transplant clinic in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital. The prosecution argued that, in 2008, a urologist named Lutfi Dervishi began performing kidney transplants there for money. (The sale of organs is outlawed everywhere in the world except Iran.)

A 1,800 to 1,900 strong mission was approved by the European Council on 14 December 2007. This was later increased to 2,000 personnel due to an increase in expected instability due to a lack of an agreement with Serbia. It consists of police officers (including four anti-riot units), prosecutors and judges - hence focusing on issues on the rule of law, including democratic standards. The size of the mission means Kosovo is home to the largest number of EU civil servants outside of Brussels. Head of the mission is accountable to the European Union member states.

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