Correspondence

Letter from the Security Minister to the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee (accessible)

Published 18 May 2026

Dan Jarvis MBE MP
Security Minister
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

The Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP
Chair Home Affairs Select Committee

By email only

13 May 2026

Dear Karen,

Kosovo’s designation under the Extradition Act 2003

I am writing to the committee to notify you of an administrative error that occurred at the time when Kosovo was added to the list of designated territories under The Extradition Act 2003. The Committee will be aware that, since the Extradition Act 2003 came into force over twenty years ago, there have been various amendments to the Act to add new designations.

On 25 March 2015, the then Secretary of State designated Kosovo as a Part 2, Category B territory, pursuant to the Extradition Act 2003 (Amendment to Designations and Appeals) Order 2015 (SO 2015 992) (“the 2015 Order”) Article 2(2)(j).

The Explanatory Memorandum that accompanied the 2015 Order noted that Kosovo had been identified as a territory requiring designation and explained that Kosovo was being designated because the UK’s extradition relations with Kosovo are covered by the Treaty between the United Kingdom and Servia (Serbia) for the Mutual Surrender of Fugitive Criminals of 1900. This was, and remains, correct. However, the Explanatory Memorandum incorrectly stated Kosovo was expressly referred to in the 1900 Treaty, when it is not. This error, while unfortunate, does not alter the fact that the 1900 Treaty is the basis for the extradition relationship.

I want to reassure the Committee that the Home Office position remains that the 1900 Treaty governs extradition relations between the United Kingdom and Kosovo. Although Kosovo is not expressly referred to in the 1900 Treaty, it applies to Kosovo by succession. Following Kosovan independence in February 2008, the United Kingdom through a note verbale, dated 19 September 2008, invited Kosovo to confirm a list of treaties which remained in force between the two countries, which included the 1900 Treaty. In response, Kosovo through a note verbale, dated 22 April 2010, confirmed a list of treaties that remained in force between the two countries, which included the 1900 Treaty. These note verbales are published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo and are available online. This is available in English at: https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDetail.aspx?ActID=8520 along with a Decree to the same effect dated 2 September 2010.

Since designation in 2015, Secretaries of State have certified requests for extradition to Kosovo using the 1900 Treaty as a legal basis and extradition proceedings have taken place before Westminster Magistrates’ Court. This has resulted in five successful extraditions to Kosovo since 2015.

In addition, Home Office officials will work with Kosovan counterparts to explore whether there are any additional measures we can put in place to further strengthen our extradition cooperation.

The UK’s extradition framework remains strong, equitable and committed to upholding individual rights. I would like to thank the Committee for its attention to this important issue.

A copy of this letter will also be forwarded for information to Sir Bernard Jenkin MP, Chair of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, and also be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The Home Office will also make arrangements for it to appear on GOV.UK.

With my very best wishes,

Dan Jarvis MBE MP
Security Minister
Minister of State at the Home Office and Cabinet Office