War Crime Trials in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Achievements and Challenges
War Crime Trials in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Achievements and Challenges

Summary/Abstract: More than a decade after the end of the war, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is still struggling to overcome the ensuing injustice and setbacks. Fears among the three ethnicities are rooted in the communities while the culture of collective blame prevails in the country. BiH has perhaps the most layered and complex arrangement for prosecuting perpetrators of grave violations of international humanitarian law, having established a great range of institutions. There is a strong public debate going on among relevant stakeholders whether the different courts demonstrate ample capacity, willingness and professionalism to fairly and efficiently examine war crime cases, free of any indication of ethnic bias. Public confidence in war crime proceedings is fragile and widespread distrust in the institutions is still a feature in the BiH society. Misunderstandings emanating from judicial proceedings can actually exacerbate societal tensions and contribute to escalation of political strife which has been happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past decade, especially after the political crisis started in 2007. Local judiciary is facing strong political influence, not only directly but also through the corrupt media stakeholders. Despite of the challenges, the justice - dealing with the past and paths to reconciliation - should be among the primary issues of concern for each citizen of BiH, regardless of gender, age or ethnicity.

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