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Committee publication · Correspondence · 19 May 2026

Letter from the Security Minister relating to Kosovo's designation under the Extradition Act 2003 13.05.2026

From: Home Affairs Committee

Summary

Security Minister Dan Jarvis notifies the Home Affairs Committee of an administrative error in Kosovo's 2015 designation under the Extradition Act 2003. An explanatory memorandum incorrectly stated Kosovo was expressly mentioned in the 1900 UK-Serbia treaty, when it was not. The government confirms the 1900 treaty remains the valid legal basis for extradition via Kosovo's succession, evidenced by 2008–2010 diplomatic notes and five successful extraditions since 2015.

Key findings

  • An administrative error occurred in the 2015 Explanatory Memorandum accompanying Kosovo's designation: it falsely claimed Kosovo was expressly referred to in the 1900 UK-Serbia treaty when it is not.
  • The 1900 Treaty applies to Kosovo by succession following its February 2008 independence; UK and Kosovo confirmed this via note verbales dated 19 September 2008 and 22 April 2010, published in Kosovo's Official Gazette.
  • Five successful extraditions to Kosovo have occurred since 2015 under the 1900 Treaty as legal basis, with cases proceeding before Westminster Magistrates' Court.
  • The Home Office will explore additional measures with Kosovo to strengthen extradition cooperation; the UK's extradition framework remains strong and committed to upholding individual rights.

Tone

Procedural

Topics

extraditioninternational-treatieslegal-designationpublic-administration

Key actors

Dan Jarvis MBE MP (Security Minister), Karen Bradley MP (Chair, Home Affairs Committee), Bernard Jenkin MP (Chair, Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments), Home Office, UK Government, Kosovo, Serbia

Notable line

“Although Kosovo is not expressly referred to in the 1900 Treaty, it applies to Kosovo by succession.”

Key Quotes

“… the Explanatory Memorandum incorrectly stated Kosovo was expressly referred to in the 1900 Treaty, when it is not.”
— Dan Jarvis MBE MP · Describing the administrative error in Kosovo's designation
“Although Kosovo is not expressly referred to in the 1900 Treaty, it applies to Kosovo by succession.”
— Dan Jarvis MBE MP · Reassuring the Committee on the legal validity of extradition relations
“This has resulted in five successful extraditions to Kosovo since”
— Dan Jarvis MBE MP · Demonstrating practical effect of the 1900 Treaty designation
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Source · parliament.uk record ↗