Author: EWMI Staff

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On January 22, 2010, the Justice Sector Civil Society Network (JSCSN) in Bosnia held its inaugural meeting at the UNITIC Business Center in Sarajevo. Comprised of local civil society organizations, including justice-related professional associations, the network was formed to increase Bosnian civil society’s involvement in the development of public policies and legislative reform initiatives that advance the rule of law, as well as to improve the public’s understanding of justice-related issues. The network aims to increase public demand for the rule of law, as well as public confidence in justice institutions, and therefore promote the integration of BiH into the European Union.

EWMI’s Justice Sector Development Project II (JSDP II) served as a catalyst for the network, working with interested organizations to develop criteria for participation. The JSCSN is comprised of 36 organizations, including 26 NGOs working to improve the rule of law and delivery of justice in BiH and 10 professional membership associations, including groups comprised of judges, prosecutors, women judges, mediators, bankruptcy commissioners and expert associates in courts and prosecutors’ offices. The coordinating organization of the JSCSN is the Association for Democratic Initiatives (ADI), a Sarajevo-based NGO that has been active in justice matters.

At the inaugural meeting participants of the network signed the JSCSN Participation Agreement, which emphasizes their collaborative working relationship based on ethical behavior, prudent use of resources, equity, openness and transparency. The network intends to launch a strategic planning process to identify and prioritize action and ensure the effective use of network resources. JSDP II will support the network through its partnership with ADI, a small grants program for network members, and relevant technical assistance.

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Renovated Srebinica courthouse.

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Srebinica courthouse before renovation.

On December 16, 2008, the renovated Srebrenica court building was formally opened to the public at a ceremony presided over by United States Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina Charles English and Court President. Hajrudin Halilovic. The opening marked the successful conclusion of EWMI’s most ambitious court renovation under its USAID-funded Justice Sector Development Project (JSDP). The JSDP provides for the introduction of European standards to the Bosnian judiciary through a package of assistance currently being implemented in 22 model courts. EWMI is helping improve practices in the fields of public access to justice, governance, stability and administration, efficient and effective justice and transparency and accountability. Courts participating in the MCI received funding for renovations to courthouse buildings, particularly in those areas serving the public.

The new Srebrenica courthouse has clearly defined areas for public and improved customer service, enabling court users to obtain information and services in a fast and efficient manner. The $500,000 renovation also included the installment of completely new heating and air-conditioning systems, electric installations and a computer network.

Srebrenica, a mining town in the mountains of eastern Bosnia, has a tragic recent history showing the consequences of a total breakdown of the rule of law in a society. In 1995, more than 8,000 unarmed Bosniak men and boys under UN protection were massacred by Serbian forces in an act of genocide, the worst of its kind in Europe since World War II.

As part of multi-sectoral US government efforts to help Srebrenica recover from wartime devastation, the courthouse now stands as a working symbol of the restoration of rule of law. Through the JSDP, judges and court staff have also received technical assistance in case management and court administration to improve the quality of the work carried out in the restored courthouse.