Second Conference of Ministers of Justice in BiH



29.05.2009. - Second Conference of Ministers of Justice in BiH, President of High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH and President of Judicial Commission of Brcko District of BiH was held today. Conference, whose goal is coordinated monitoring of implementation of key reform processes in BiH justice sector, was attended by ministers and representatives of 13 Ministries of Justice from the state, entity and cantonal level, President of High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH and President of Judicial Commission of Brcko District.  

Joint work of the conference participants was focused on the implementation of BiH Justice Sector Reform Strategy, as a comprehensive plan for the future development of the justice sector, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers of BiH, Entity Governments and Judicial Commission of Brcko District of BiH. Reports on the work results of the Functional Working Groups for the implementation of the Strategy were considered, and recommendations for overcoming of noted shortages in the implementation of planned reform measures were given.

In the first five months of BiH Justice Sector Reform Strategy implementation, 32 activities are completely or partially implemented, and work on around a hundred of reform activities has been initiated. In the previous period informatization of courts and prosecutors' offices started, proposal for resolving of small claims cases is drafted, and an analysis of backlogs in the prosecutors' offices is conducted. Amendments to the Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Execution of Criminal Sanctions, Detention and Other Measures entered into force and those amendments inter alia additionally improve security control in prisons and introduce European prison standards. Cantonal Law and the Law of Republic of Srpska on Free Legal Assistance are adopted and the Law on Free Legal Assistance of BiH and the Law on International Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters are prepared. This law will inter alia create the preconditions for the establishment of a single criminal record for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina convicted abroad. Measures for the improvement of economic development are undertaken through the promotion and improvement of the alternative dispute resolution system and land administration.

Participants of the Conference gave their full support to the establishment of a joint donor fond from which the implementation of activities defined in BiH Justice Sector Reform Strategy will be financed.

Participants also expressed firm commitment to continue the initiated reforms and to further intensify the participation of BiH justice sector institutions in the implementation of the agreed goals.