CHIEF PROSECUTORS FROM BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, MONTENEGRO, CROATIA AND SERBIA AND THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDUAL MECHANISM FOR CRIMINAL TRIBUNALS MET IN SARAJEVO TO DISCUSS REGIONAL COOPERATION IN FIGHT AGAINST IMPUNITY FOR WAR CRIMES

Analysis of the cooperation to date with an overview of the key challenges and issues identified in practice, as well as examples of successful cooperation were the main topics of the meeting.

Chief Prosecutors and their teams also discussed the experience to date with regards to the transfer of cases with confirmed indictments, and all the necessary activities and preconditions that must be fulfilled to ensure the transfer of cases, with particular emphasis on ensuring the necessary protection and cooperation of witnesses, as well as cooperation between Prosecutor’s Offices during the trial

One of the topics of the meeting was the cooperation in investigations and joint investigation teams, as one of the important elements needed for a more effective cooperation and resolution of problems.

The participants also discussed steps to be taken in the future with the aim of improving the transfer of proceedings and cooperation in investigations.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Prosecutor of International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Serge Brammertz, whose cooperation and support is extremely important for the development of regional cooperation, and delegations of prosecutors from the countries of the region headed by Gordana Tadić - Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dražen Jelenić - Chief State Attorney of the Republic of Croatia, Veselin Vučković - Prosecutor of the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office of Montenegro, Snežana Stanojković - War Crimes Prosecutor of the Republic of Serbia, as well as representatives of international organizations involved in monitoring the processing of war crimes cases.

The regional meeting was held in Sarajevo as part of a Regional War Crimes (RWC) Project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and Serbia, with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Italy.

This meeting is one of RWC Project’s activities, which include, inter alia, support for the protection of victims and witnesses, digitalization and improvement of communication and reporting on war crimes cases.