In an unprecedented move, Kosovo is preparing to house 300 inmates from Denmark, a decision raising significant human rights concerns. The Gjilan jail in eastern Kosovo will undergo extensive renovations over the next two years to meet Danish standards before receiving the convicts. This initiative, the first of its kind for Kosovo, has sparked criticism from Danish human rights advocates and international observers.
Kosovo’s prison service plans to clear the Gjilan facility of domestic inmates to make space for the incoming foreign prisoners. These inmates, originating from non-European Union countries, will be transferred from Denmark after serving their sentences. This arrangement is part of a bilateral deal aimed at addressing Denmark’s overcrowded prison system and shortage of prison guards.
The eight-year-old Gjilan jail itself does not initially present human rights concerns. However, the decision to relocate inmates to Kosovo has alarmed many experts. Therese Rytter, legal director of Dignity, a Danish human rights organisation, voiced concerns about the risk of abuse. “There have been credible allegations of abuse in the past,” Rytter noted. “While it doesn’t mean that it will happen in Kosovo, there is definitely an increased risk compared to if they had been in a Danish prison.”
The U.S. State Department’s 2023 report on Kosovo highlighted several issues within the country’s prison system. Although Kosovo’s prisons meet some international standards, problems such as violence among prisoners, corruption, and inadequate treatment for inmates with mental disabilities persist. The UN Committee Against Torture echoed these concerns in their December 2023 report, specifically mentioning inadequate access to healthcare and family visits for inmates.
Kosovo’s parliament recently approved the deal, which will see the country receive 210 million euros ($228 million) from Denmark over the next ten years. This financial arrangement is aimed at bolstering Kosovo’s economy, one of the poorest in Europe. In contrast, Denmark views the agreement as a practical solution to its prison overcrowding issue.
According to the Danish Justice Ministry and Ismail Dibrani, head of Kosovo prisons, no inmates sentenced on terrorism charges or with life sentences will be transferred to Gjilan. Dibrani reassured that the inmates being transferred are manageable within the Kosovo system. However, the gender of the inmates remains unconfirmed.
A Danish prison governor will co-manage the Gjilan facility alongside a local director, with all prison guards being local. These Kosovar guards will receive training from Danish authorities to ensure the treatment of inmates adheres to Danish and international human rights standards. Despite these measures, Danish human rights experts remain sceptical. “A two-month course does not change behaviour,” Rytter remarked, highlighting the inadequacy of short-term training in fundamentally altering prison staff conduct.
Local residents in Pasjak, where the Gjilan prison is located, appear indifferent to the origin of the incoming prisoners. “Whether they are from Denmark, England or elsewhere, they are jailed people,” said Rinor Behluli, a local villager.
The first batch of convicts is expected to be transferred to Kosovo between 21 and 25 months after the reconstruction of the prison begins, which is anticipated to start within weeks. This timeline underscores the urgency and scale of the project, aiming to transform Gjilan jail into a facility that meets stringent human rights standards.