The 9 Conference of Ministers of Justice in BiH, Presidents of HJPC BiH and the Judicial Commission of Brčko Distrikt



The 9 Conference of Ministers of Justice in BiH, Presidents of HJPC BiH and the Judicial Commission of Brčko Distrikt, attended by the ministers of justice at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina and presidents of HJPC BiH and the Judicial Commission of Brčko Distrikt was held today in Sarajevo.

The ministers discussed and adopted the Report of Justice Sector institutions and Civil society organizations on the results achieved in the implementation of the Action Plan of the Justice Sector Reform Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including reports on the implementation of the National Strategy for War Crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and drafting strategies of Transitional justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the construction of the State Prison and donor projects in the justice sector in BiH.

The focus was on the most important problems identified in the current implementation and priority activities for the next reporting period.

Particularly problems and the proposal for the resolving of the problems of the adopting single law on prosecutors in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as conclusions of the 4th Thematic Conference "Support the economic development of the justice sector in BiH" were presented supported by the Prime Minister of the Zenica-Doboj Canton in its address.

Additionally to that the following documents were adopted: Revised Action Plan of the Justice Sector Reform Strategy in BiH, proposed priorities for funding from donor funds in 2013 and calendar of activities for 2013.

The most important results of justice sector institutions in BiH for 2012 are:

1.       Obtain more quality approach of financing of judicial institutions in BiH and harmonisation of regulations at various levels of government in BiH, as a precondition of its independence and equal treatment to all,  

2.       Inquire agreeable solutions for reducing the backlog of court cases and operational issues related to the work of the courts and prosecutorial offices in BiH, such as introducing an information system and reconstruction of judicial institution buildings, which contribute to increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial system in BiH,

3.       Strengthening the accountability and professionalism of the judiciary, by adopting standards for their work and establishment of proper system for monitoring and implementing further training of judges and prosecutors,

4.       Provision of International Legal Assistance and improvement of judicial cooperation, especially with neighbouring countries,

5.       The issue of access to justice and the introduction of free legal aid in BiH,

6.       Increased use of mediation and other means of peaceful settlement of disputes, the Real Property Registration and commercial disputes

7.       Improving the management of system for execution of criminal sanctions in BiH, resolving redundancy in institutions and modalities of improving the situation, which includes more extensive use of conditional release, parole, community service work and other alternative sanctions, as well as expansion of institutional capacity, including work on the construction of the State Institute, and application of international standards in the area of execution of criminal sanctions ( i.e. putting into operation Psychiatric Clinic Sokolac).

8.       Conference participants are strongly committed to further continue implementation of the reforms, and to take actions for strengthen the capacities of Strategic Planning, Aid Coordination and European Integration in the institutions of the justice sector in BiH that includes drafting next Justice sector reform strategy in BiH.

The conference adopted and priority activities of the institutions of the justice sector for the next period of implementation.

Prior to the Ministerial Conference signed a letter of commitment of the Forum in front of a joint policy of the Ministry of Justice and HJPC with one hand, and the Network of justice in BiH, on the other hand, to establish the legal aid system in BiH, which meets the needs of citizens and contribute strengthening the rule of law, and restores public confidence in the judicial system in BiH and contribute to the progress of the state in the process of EU integration.