THE BiH MINISTER OF JUSTICE MEETS WITH THE ICTY CHIEF PROSECUTOR



5 May 2009 – Today Barisa Colak, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Minister of Justice, has met with Serge Brammertz, the ICTY Chief Prosecutor. The ICTY Chief Prosecutor has stated that the cooperation of all authorities, and thereby of the judicial authorities, of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the ICTY, is satisfactory and that information exchange and overall cooperation of all countries in the region should be improved in order to process the remaining war crimes cases.

The BiH Minister of Justice has informed the Chief Prosecutor about the issue of „parallel“ investigations of war crimes committed in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina and about the need to agree on the criteria for transfer of the remaining war crimes cases from the ICTY. These are the issues that have to be addressed as urgently as possible in order to „ensure justice for victims and punishment for war criminals“, Minister Colak has pointed out. With a view to addressing these issues Prosecutor Brammertz has announced active talks with prosecutors and other stakeholders in the judicial authorities of neighbouring countries.

The meeting has particularly emphasized the importance of the State War Crimes Prosecution Strategy in Bosnia-Herzegovina, its successful implementation requiring full cooperation of all judicial and other authorities responsible for the planned strategic measures.