Kosovo’s Legal Community Honors ABA ROLI’s Outgoing Country Director

May 2009

Kosovo’s legal associations organized a farewell event honoring David Sip, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative’s (ABA ROLI’s) outgoing country director, for his contribution and dedication in promoting the rule of law in Kosovo.

Sip met with partners and collaborators, including Kosovo’s President Fatmir Sejdiu, Minister of Justice Nekibe Kelmendi, Supreme Court President Rexhep Haxhimusa and University of Prishtina Rector Enver Hasani. Local media covered the meetings with President Sejdiu and Minister Kelmendi. President Sejdiu and Minister Kelmendi thanked Sip for his dedication in supporting legal reform in Kosovo. Sip joined ABA ROLI’s Kosovo office in October 2006 after having led the Judicial Reform Index assessment team in Kosovo in 2005.

The Kosovo Chamber of Advocates (KCA) organized an event acknowledging Sip’s work, which was attended by more than 30 KCA members, president of the Kosovo Judges Association and dean of the University of Pristina Law Faculty.

“While working on the law on the bar, it was David that would show up first to our board meetings and it was him that would leave last,” said Musa Dragusha, the president of the KCA, “His commitment encouraged us all to work harder and to believe in success.”

Ymer Huruglica, president of the KJA, said the ABA ROLI and Sip were supportive of his association from its inception.

“David will remain a great friend to our legal community,” said Hava Ismajli, dean of the University of Pristina Law Faculty.

To learn more about our work in Kosovo, contact the ABA Rule of Law Initiative at <rol@staff.abanet.org>.