The Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) and EUKOJUST organized the certificate distribution ceremony for over 100 certified judicial translators, on Thursday, July 14, 2022.
EUKOJUST Team Leader, Volkmar Theobald, congratulated the KJC for organizing this first time ever competition, very much needed, for the certification of Kosovo translators, and expressed the willingness to support the Council in the future in improving the quality of translations, including official languages of non-majority communities.
“The correct use of the official languages in judicial and prosecutorial systems in Kosovo is of outmost importance to guarantee international fair trial standards and access to justice for all. The role of a translator is an important key role in Access to Justice,” said Theobald.
The chairman of KJC, Albert Zogaj, said the certification of translators is very important for the judicial system. “Certification of translators is vital to a proper legal system. Without clear communication between judges, lawyers and parties, justice may not be served,” said Zogaj.
“The importance of this certification guarantees the quality of service in the judicial system. With this certification we also pave the way for new translators who will increase the quality of translation and interpretation in different languages. Now we will have a new, updated list of court interpreters that all courts will be equipped with” – he said.
The Commissioner for Languages, Slavisa Mladenovic, said that some positive steps have been taken in the provision of translation services in the courts, where translators have been equipped with the most advanced electronic equipment for translation, the number of translators has increased and training for translators has been provided. Therefore, he believes that even this certification of translators will further increase public confidence, offering citizens more correct access to translated judicial processes.
There are 78 candidates who have been certified as court interpreters for the Albanian-Serbian language, while there are 104 candidates who have been certified for Albanian-English language.
