YouSaid · the spoken record

Alkalaj

lines on the record: 185
first: 2008-12-09
most recent: 2023-06-12
sittings or episodes: 18
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“One of the most important issues discussed in the meeting was the status and stages of criminal proceedings in cases transferred from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Serbia and vice versa. A draft agreement of understanding and cooperation for the protection and support of witnesses and victims in war crime cases has been prepared by the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office of Serbia. We regret, however, that there has been no progress in the matter of Novak Đukić and Milomir Savčić, who were standing trial in Bosnia and Herzegovina and fled to Serbia.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“I would like to commend the continued cooperation between the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Prosecutor’s Office for War Crimes of the Republic of Serbia. In that regard, they organized a successful meeting held in Sarajevo on 5 April. The main topics of the meeting were the implementation of memorandums and protocols of cooperation signed between the two countries and the exchange of information in the criminal prosecution of war crime cases. In addition, they discussed topics related to cooperation in the fight against impunity for war crimes, as well as the current cases in progress, in which mutual legal assistance was requested in certain procedural actions.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“Cooperation between the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and those of neighbouring countries in the exchange of information is also critical. We continue to search for and identify the approximately 7,400 persons who remain missing in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that regard, Mr. Milanko Kajganić, the Acting Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, met Ms. Kathryne Bomberger, the Director-General of the International Commission on Missing Persons, in Sarajevo on 17 March. The main topic of the meeting was improving the process of searching for missing persons and their identification and assistance by the International Commission on Missing Persons.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“I would like to emphasize that the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has supported and implemented the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s project regarding the technical needs assessment of databases, already established in cooperation with the OSCE, the Prosecutor’s Office and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to investigating, prosecuting and punishing all persons responsible for war crimes, regardless of the offender’s nationality, ethnicity, religion or political or other affiliation. We would also like to emphasize that witness protection is of the utmost importance in the conduct and operations of all judicial institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“We are grateful that the Office of the Prosecutor of the Mechanism has continued its engagement with the judicial authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that it remains committed to providing Bosnia and Herzegovina with full support in assisting, transferring knowledge and applying all lessons learned. We also want to express our gratitude for the support of the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Development Programme for strengthening the human and material resources of judicial institutions prosecuting war crimes and engaged in general capacity-building.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“Brammertz to Sarajevo and his meetings with the Acting Chief Prosecutor at the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Chief Prosecutor of the Office of War Crimes of Republika Srpska. We remain committed to contributing actively to the Mechanism’s efforts to accomplish its mission. We would also like to reiterate our commitment to its work and call on all Member States to fulfil all their obligations and make their financial contributions to ensure the uninterrupted work of the Mechanism.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“In addition, the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued orders to open seven new cases against 67 persons. I would like to inform the Council that according to the records of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Court received 21 indictments in 2021 and one in the first four months of this year. In the period from 2020 to the end of April 2022, the Court therefore pronounced 25 first-instance and 20 second- instance verdicts. I want to emphasize once again that as demonstrated in their reports throughout the relevant period of operations, the cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the Mechanism has been stable and comprehensive. In that context, we commend the recent trip by Mr.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“The proper acknowledgement of truth, along with the punishment and condemnation of all persons responsible for war crimes committed in the past, is key to our shared future, to forging relationships and cooperation built on trust and respect and a necessary and significant step in making progress on our path towards membership in the European Union. According to the records of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a total of 21 indictments against 56 persons were confirmed in 2021, and five indictments against 19 persons were confirmed in the first five months of this year. The Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Offices at the entity level and to the Prosecutor’s Office of Brcko district a total of 18 cases.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“The implementation of the strategy will send a strong message that impunity will not and must not be allowed, regardless of the nationality or ethnicity of the victims or perpetrators. That is important for reconciliation and progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina and throughout the Western Balkans. Speaking of reconciliation, the glorification of war crimes and their perpetrators and, conversely, their denial is one of the main obstacles that we are facing in this long and painful process. It is unacceptable and as such must be punishable under the law.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“The judicial authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are focused on and committed to the implementation of the revised strategy for work on war crimes cases adopted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. One of the strategy’s first and most important goals is to conclude all unresolved war crimes cases by 2023. To that end, the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are working to resolve all open war crimes cases among judicial authorities at different levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina. All potential perpetrators of war crimes must be prosecuted for their personal or command responsibility. In accordance with the revised strategy, the judicial authorities should align court practices in order to strengthen trust in the judicial system and ensure the equality of all citizens before the law.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“This unprecedented justice project can be concluded only when all of its unfinished cases receive proper closure. The continuation of its work until such closure is therefore of paramount importance. The situation arising from the coronavirus disease pandemic has continued to have a serious impact on the actions and activities of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, as well as those of the judicial authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, since the previous Council meeting on this subject. Given the challenges that the pandemic has posed for the national prosecutors of war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the work of the Prosecutor’s Office and the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which deals primarily with unfinished and very complex war crimes cases, was inevitably affected.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“At the outset, please allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I wish you every success in performing your duties. You can count on my delegation’s full support. I would also like to thank the President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Judge Carmel Agius, for his leadership and guidance during this period, as well as the Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Mr. Serge Brammertz. I am grateful to them both for their respective reports and comprehensive briefings today. We commend the Mechanism on continuing to make progress in its work since the last Security Council meeting on the topic (see S/PV.8927) and to function despite all the circumstances affecting the work of the Mechanism.”
2022-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9062 (2022) · source
“We would also like to stress that the cases of murals with the portrait of Ratko Mladić in Belgrade will not contribute to reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the Western Balkans region. The punishment of all persons responsible for war crimes and the building of trust in the judicial system are necessary for reconciliation as a significant step of progress in our path towards membership in the European Union, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s primary foreign policy goal, which enjoys the broad consensual support of all political parties in the country. We are fully committed to continuing to strengthen the rule of law, human rights and economic development. We will continue to work to strengthen the justice system in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stability, progress, mutual trust and cooperation cannot be achieved without full justice.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“Cooperation with the judicial authorities of the Republic of Croatia has to be improved in the sense that the Croatian Government’s decision of 2015 not to comply with requests for mutual legal assistance in cases treated as crimes against humanity has to be withdrawn. Bosnia and Herzegovina states that there has been no progress in the matter of Novak Đukić and Milomir Savčić, who were standing trial in Bosnia and Herzegovina and fled to Serbia. I would also like to emphasize that the glorification of war crimes and their perpetrators and the denial of war crimes are unacceptable. Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina are taught differently regarding events of the recent past, in which war criminals have been glorified as heroes.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“Also, I would like to inform the Council that the meeting between the Acting Chief Prosecutor at the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Chief Prosecutor of the Office of War Crimes of the Republic of Serbia was held on 23 November. The central topics of the meeting were cooperation and exchange of information and evidence in war crime cases, as well as the transfer of criminal prosecution cases in which the accused persons are inaccessible to the judiciary as a result of being located in the territory of the other States. Also, the fight against impunity, especially in war crime cases, has been emphasized as an imperative for future cooperation in order to ensure the prosecution of suspects and accused persons, regardless of their nationality or location.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“We would also like to emphasize that witness protection is of the utmost importance in the conduct and operations of all judicial institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That is important for reconciliation and progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina and throughout the Western Balkans. Cooperation between the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and those of neighbouring countries in the exchange of information is also critical as we continue to search for the more than 6,000 persons who remain missing in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that vein, I would like to recall that Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed several bilateral agreements with the neighbouring countries, the Republic of Croatia, Montenegro and the Republic of Serbia, strengthening cooperation and exchange of information and evidence.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“We would like to express our gratitude for the support of the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations Development Programme in strengthening the human and material resources of judicial institutions prosecuting war crimes and engaged in general capacity-building. I would like to inform the Council that, at the end of last year, one courtroom in the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina was adapted for hearings with more than five suspects and their defenders, with the help of foreign donors. I would like to emphasize that Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to investigating, prosecuting and punishing all persons responsible for war crimes, regardless of the offender’s nationality, ethnicity, religion or political or other affiliation.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“The main goal of the conference was to hold discussions on resolving all unresolved war crime cases, improving cooperation between the countries, mutual legal assistance and review of the obstacles to fulfilling these goals. We are grateful that the Office of the Prosecutor of the IRMCT continues its engagement with the judicial authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and remains committed to providing Bosnia and Herzegovina with full support in assisting, transferring knowledge and applying all lessons learned. We remain committed to contributing actively to the Mechanism’s efforts to accomplish its mission. We would also like to reiterate our commitment to its work and to call on all Member States to fulfil all obligations to ensure that the work of the Mechanism continues uninterrupted.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“I would like to emphasize again that, as evidenced in their reports throughout the relevant period of operations, the cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991 and its successor Mechanism has been stable and complete. Representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with the representatives of the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Croatia and Montenegro, participated at the regional conference held in Belgrade on 20 and 21 September, with the co-sponsorship of the Office of the Chief Prosecutor of the IRMCT and the United Nations Development Programme.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“In that vein, I would like to recall that, according to the official evidence of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are still 67 cases listed as Hague category list A, with 173 suspect persons awaiting prosecution, and the total number of prosecuted and unprosecuted persons under Hague category list A are 805 persons. The total number of all unfinished investigation cases at the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina is 378, against 3,833 perpetrators.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“In 2021, the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued six indictments against nine persons. In the same period, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has confirmed five indictments, and one indictment is still under the consideration. In the same period, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has brought eight judgments. Also, I would like to inform the Council that, in the period between the two relevant meetings of the Security Council, the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Offices at the entity level and to the Prosecutor’s Office of Brcko district more than 170 different cases for further investigation and prosecution.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“To that end, the judicial authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are working to resolve all open war crimes cases at different levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Let me stress that all potential perpetrators of war crimes must be prosecuted for their personal or command responsibility. In accordance with the revised strategy, judicial authorities should unify court practices in order to strengthen trust in the judicial system and ensure the equality of all citizens before the law. The strategy’s implementation will send a strong message that impunity will not and must not be allowed. The judicial authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina will make every effort to prosecute all outstanding and unresolved war crimes cases, especially those with civilian victims, particularly children, women, religious officials and elderly people.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“We are aware of the challenges that the pandemic has posed for the national prosecutors of war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The work of the Prosecutor’s Office and the work of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which deal primarily with the unfinished and most complex cases of war crimes, was particularly affected. I hereby inform the Council that the judicial authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are taking all necessary measures to implement the revised strategy for work on war crimes cases, as adopted in September 2020 by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. One of the first and most important goals of that strategy is to conclude all unresolved war crimes cases as soon as possible.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“We are grateful that the Mechanism continued to make progress in its work during the period between the previous two Security Council sessions on this topic (see S/PV.8790 and S/2020/602) and continues to function in spite of the pandemic. We take note of the continued progress made by the Mechanism in fulfilling the remaining activities of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. We commend the IRMCT for its efficiency in bringing all of its unfinished cases to a close in spite of its reduced resources during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic continued to have a serious impact on the actions and activities of the International Residual Mechanism, as well as those of the judicial authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, between the previous two sessions of the Security Council on the topic.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“At the outset, please allow me to congratulate you, Sir, for assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We wish you every success in performing your duties during your presidency in the ongoing specific circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic I would also like to thank the President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), Judge Carmel Agius, and the Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Mr. Serge Brammertz, for their respective reports (see S/2021/694) and for today’s comprehensive briefings.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“He further added, unprovoked, that were NATO to intervene in the Republika Srpska, he would seek assistance from unnamed “friends”, who he claimed has given him assurance of their readiness to provide such assistance. We find that very problematic. We should be working on that issue, as many of the parties expressed today. There is a problem not only in the Republika Srpska; there is a problem in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where for the past three years, we were unable to form a Government or implement the reforms necessary to embark on the path to the European Union. Regrettably, for the first time, the High Representative is not with us today, but my statement represents the summary of the report of High Representative Christian Schmidt, who was not permitted to appear before the Security Council today.”
2021-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8896 (2021) · source
“As part of the orchestrated response, the authorities of the Republika Srpska adopted the Law on Non-Implementation of the Decision of the High Representative enacting the Law on Amendments to the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which entered into force in early October. That law rejects the High Representative’s 22 July decision and prescribes that State-level legislation should not be applicable in Republika Srpska. It obliges the authorities of the Republika Srpska not to cooperate with Bosnian institutions attempting to implement State-level law. Although Mr. Dodik has recently stated that his actions are not aimed at inciting conflict, he has also warned that any attempt by State-level judicial institutions or law enforcement agencies to intercede would be met with force.”
2021-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8896 (2021) · source
“Dodik, in agreement with Republika Srpska opposition parties announced the withdrawal of Republika Srpska representatives from the institutional decision-making process, in response to the 22 July decision of High Representative Valentin Inzko to introduce amendments to the criminal code of Bosnia and Herzegovina criminalizing the denial of genocide and war crimes and the glorification war criminals. He demanded an annulment of the decision. To provide another example, Mr. Dodik even prevented the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from engaging the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to assist in firefighting efforts in the southern part of the country, thereby allowing lives to be lost.”
2021-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8896 (2021) · source
“The unilateral withdrawal of the entity from established State institutions — which is not legally possible under the current constitutional framework — would lead to the collapse of those institutions and ultimately undermine the State’s ability to function and carry out its constitutional responsibility. Recently, Mr. Dodik revealed his goal of Republika Srpska’s independence from Bosnia and Herzegovina, supposedly within the Dayton Agreement. As Republika Srpska opposition parties have noted, that is a dangerous path not only for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also for Republika Srpska, bearing in mind that entities exist legally only by virtue of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that they have no right to secede from Bosnia and Herzegovina. State institutions have already been paralysed since July, when Mr.”
2021-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8896 (2021) · source
“Dodik refers to undertaking a return to the so- called original Dayton, which is a political misnomer based on an erroneous interpretation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Constitution. In practice, the policy aims to undo many of the hard-won reforms from over the past 26 years, not in order to strictly adhere to the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement but rather to revert the situation. Mr. Dodik seeks to withdraw Republika Srpska from the constitutional order established under annex 4 of the Dayton Peace Agreement and to opt out of the Agreement on Civilian Implementation of the Peace Settlement set forth under annex 10. That is tantamount to secession without proclaiming it.”
2021-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8896 (2021) · source
“According to the announced plans, that would mean the withdrawal of the members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina armed forces residing in Republika Srpska, the takeover of the armed forces’ facilities in Republika Srpska country and the re-establishment of a Republika Srpska army, ostensibly with personnel withdrawing from Federation armed forces. That move would turn back the clock 15 years in the field of defence reform alone, and even further in terms of confidence- and security-building. It would also mean the entity’s withdrawal from the State-level indirect tax institution and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council. Those measures would also prevent the State Investigation and Protection Agency and the Intelligence-Security Agency from operating in Republika Srpska country. Mr.”
2021-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8896 (2021) · source
“Dodik — the de facto leader of the Republika Srpska, despite the entity having an elected President — has called for the entity’s unilateral withdrawal from agreements reached a long time ago on the transfer of entity competencies to the State in the areas of defence, indirect taxes and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council. He has called for the entity to reclaim what he asserts were usurped constitutional competencies in the field of State judiciary, law enforcement and intelligence. He further announced the drafting of a new Republika Srpska constitution and the rejection of all illegally imposed decisions and laws by the High Representative.”
2021-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8896 (2021) · source
“Persistent grave challenges to the fundamentals of the General Framework Agreement for Peace by Republika Srpska entity authorities, led by the biggest Republika Srpska party — the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, headed by the current member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik — are endangering peace and stability in the country and throughout the region. If left unchecked by the international community, that could lead to the undoing of the Agreement itself. In the climax of the escalating series of crises throughout 2021, Mr.”
2021-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8896 (2021) · source
“It is important to emphasize that Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a host country, has enjoyed respectable and fruitful cooperation with Operation EUFOR- Althea, particularly in the areas of capacity-building and the training of its armed forces. The mandate of EUFOR-Althea is to support the implementation of the military aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement and to ensure compliance with annexes 1 (a) and 2 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It would take too long to describe what is currently happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I think that High Representative Christian Schmidt realistically presented the situation in his report; therefore, I will limit my remarks to a summary of the broader picture. Currently, Bosnia and Herzegovina faces the greatest existential threat of the post-war period.”
2021-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8896 (2021) · source
“At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Sir, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of November and to wish you and your delegation every success. We have taken note of the report on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, covering the period 16 April to 15 October 2021, by the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We also welcome the Security Council’s adoption of the resolution extending the mandate of the European Union Military Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR-Althea), which has been present in the country for many years (resolution 2604 (2021)).”
2021-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8896 (2021) · source
“The devastating consequences of these offences remain, and family members of the victims can never see their loved ones again, but justice has prevailed. For this, Bosnia and Herzegovina stands today as a grateful nation.”
2021-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8790 (2021) · source
“Today the mechanism confirmed that verdict and, in doing so, brought to a conclusion one of the worst chapters in modern human history. Today Bosnian Serb leaders continue their efforts to hide their atrocities and deny the genocide. They glorify as heroes the evil men and women who perpetrated these crimes, even though Mladić and most other key figures in the Bosnian Serb ultra-nationalist leadership have been brought to justice and convicted of war crimes against humanity. As today’s final verdict illustrates, these denials and efforts to rewrite history will continue to fail. Mladić, known as the Butcher of the Balkans ever since the mass murder of defenceless men and boys was uncovered, will die in disgrace and live in infamy.”
2021-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8790 (2021) · source
“Jukić must be returned to face the legal and judicial consequences of his severe crimes. Secondly, on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I am pleased to note that, after many years, the war crimes proceedings against Jovica Stanišić and Franko Simatović, who stand accused of grave offences, are close to conclusion. It is equally important that the adjudication of those cases be completed and that the verdicts of the judiciary be issued and implemented. In conclusion, the Security Council is undoubtedly aware that the IRMCT issued its final verdict today in the case of Ratko Mladić, who, after years of eluding justice with the complicity of Serbian authorities, was convicted in 2017 of genocide and other war crimes against humanity.”
2021-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8790 (2021) · source
“Lastly, I take this opportunity to draw the attention of the Security Council to the three specific cases that pertain to this important point. First, I refer to the case of General Jukić, which illustrates the vital importance of consistent cooperation among the Prosecutor’s Office, the competent authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and those of neighbouring countries Serbia and Croatia, in accordance with the principles of international justice and the rule of law, which is crucial for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes. Having been convicted of war crimes by the relevant court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Jukić escaped to Serbia, a catastrophe that has undoubtedly had a negative effect on cooperation in the region and damages good and productive bilateral and multilateral relations throughout the region. Mr.”
2021-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8790 (2021) · source
“I would like to emphasize that Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to investigating, prosecuting and punishing all persons responsible for war crimes, regardless of the offenders’ nationality, ethnicity, religion or political or other affiliation. Cooperation between institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and those of neighbouring countries in the exchange of information is also critical as we continue to search for more than 6,000 persons who remain missing in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I would also like to emphasize that the glorification of war crimes and their perpetrators is unacceptable and must be punishable under the law. All those measures are necessary for reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans region.”
2021-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8790 (2021) · source
“We would like to express our gratitude for the support of the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations Development Programme for strengthening the human and material resources of judicial institutions prosecuting war crimes and engaged in general capacity- building. In that regard, I would like to inform the Council that Bosnia and Herzegovina recently opened its first national-level prison facility built in accordance with high human rights and European Union standards. That institution was constructed with the assistance of the European Union, other international donors and domestic resources.”
2021-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8790 (2021) · source
“I would like to emphasize again, as evidenced in these reports throughout the relevant period of operations, that the cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the ICTY and the successor Mechanism was stable and complete. We remain committed to contribute actively to the Mechanism’s efforts to accomplish its mission. We would also like to reiterate our commitment to its work and to call on all Member States to fulfil all obligations and to make their financial contributions in order to provide for the Mechanism’s uninterrupted work.”
2021-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8790 (2021) · source
“One of the first and most important goals of the strategy is to conclude all unresolved war crimes cases by 2023. To that end, the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina are working to resolve all open war crimes cases among judicial authorities of different levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina. All potential perpetrators of war crimes must be prosecuted for their personal or command responsibilities. In accordance with the revised strategy, judicial authorities should unify court practice in order to strengthen trust in the judicial system and ensure the equality of all citizens before the law. The implementation of the strategy will send a strong message that impunity will not and must not be allowed.”
2021-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8790 (2021) · source
“We are aware of the challenges that the pandemic has posed for national prosecutors of war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The work of the Prosecutor’s Office and the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which deals primarily with the unfinished and most complex war crime cases, were particularly affected. Bearing in mind that a massive programme to vaccinate all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina has begun, we expect that national- and international-level judicial institutions will carry out their duties and responsibilities at an accelerated pace. I hereby inform the Security Council that the judicial authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina have taken all the measures necessary to implement the revised strategy for the work of war crimes cases, as adopted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina in September 2020.”
2021-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8790 (2021) · source
“On behalf of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the families and to the Mechanism on the loss of Judge Gberdao Gustave Kam of Burkina Faso, who passed away on 17 February. We note the continued progress made by the Mechanism in fulfilling the remaining activities of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). We commend the IRMCT for its efficiency in bringing all of its unfinished cases to a close this year in spite of its reduced resources during the pandemic. Since the previous two meetings of the Security Council, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on the actions and activities of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals as well as on the judicial authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2021-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8790 (2021) · source
“At the outset, please allow me to congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We wish you every success in performing your duties during the ongoing special circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. I would also like to thank Judge Carmel Agius and Mr. Serge Brammertz, the President and the Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), respectively, for their reports and today’s comprehensive briefings. We are grateful that the Mechanism continued to make progress in its work during the reporting period and that it continues to function despite the pandemic.”
2021-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8790 (2021) · source
“In conclusion, we would like to express the readiness of Bosnia and Herzegovina's authorities to continue their work in securing a better and prosperous future for its citizens, as well as our gratitude to our international partners for supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on that path.”
2019-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8658 (2019) · source
“Currently, we have approximately 45 personnel serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions worldwide. In his report, High Representative Inzko notes that, in the face of significant obstacles to accomplishing his mission, he has declined to fully invoke the executive powers of his Office. We realize that such an approach can broaden confidence in his judgment for the benefit of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a democratic nation and for peace, stability and security. I would like to address a few words to Ms. Selma Korjenie, following her deep and thorough analysis of the situation and positive perspective on the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina. To her, I would like to say that yes, we can do it - together and with the help of our friends from around the world.”
2019-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8658 (2019) · source
“Allow me also to express our gratitude to the United Nations country team in Bosnia and Herzegovina for its outstanding contributions and tireless efforts in assisting our institutional development agenda. I would like to draw the attention of the Council to the issue of illegal migrants. During the reporting period, Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced a significant increase in refugees and migrants on its territory, most of whom crossed the border illegally. In response, Bosnia and Herzegovina's authorities have undertaken a set of comprehensive measures, including in the humanitarian and security areas. Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to contribute actively to international peace and security by deploying its military and police personnel to United Nations peacekeeping missions.”
2019-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8658 (2019) · source
“We must also emphasize that our focus and top priority in economic reform programmes remains the creation of a legal framework to improve the business environment and job creation for young people. Currently, the main concern is the significant outflow of young, skillful and educated people, which could have a very negative impact on future economic development. Massive investments in infrastructure, health care and education are needed to reverse that trend. Bosnia and Herzegovina has also started a very important planning, monitoring and evaluation process in the field of social and economic development that is fully in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In that regard, Bosnia and Herzegovina's voluntary national review was presented at the High-level Political Forum in July.”
2019-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8658 (2019) · source