The Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH Ambassador Johann Sattler and the President of the Basic Court in Mrkonjić Grad Dražen Vulin today officially opened the newly renovated building of the Basic Court in Mrkonjić Grad. The premises of this Court were fully renovated with financial assistance of the European Union worth over 250,000 euros.
Ambassador Sattler stressed that the rule of law is the foundation of any democratic society and a core value of the European Union. “We have ensured that, with these new facilities, working conditions for employees and access for citizens are at the highest level. But buildings alone do not make justice and we expect to see concrete steps forward when it comes to the judiciary and the rule of law in BiH. Rule of law is a central element of the EU path. Beyond that, it is what citizens need and deserve – trials conducted by an independent and impartial judiciary that they can trust, a reasonable length of procedures, and a credible fight against corruption.”
The assistance of the EU is part of a comprehensive and continuous support to improving working environment and the security of the judicial premises. The reconstruction of the Basic Court in Mrkonjić Grad is one of 32 courts and prosecutors’ officers in 17 cities across Bosnia and Herzegovina that have been modernised with the aim of increasing judicial effectiveness and ensuring adequate services for BiH citizens.
Halil Lagumdžija, the President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, highlighted the importance of the opening of the renovated court building, especially for citizens. “I believe that the new, much better conditions will enable judges, prosecutors and non-judicial staff to work even better with better results. Citizens will now have easier and better access to court and justice. I am grateful to the EU, the biggest bilateral partner of the Council, for financing the construction and renovation of most of these facilities throughout BiH.”
Miloš Bukejlović, the RS Minister of Justice, commended the work of the Basic Court in Mrkonjić Grad and underlined the importance of completing the courthouse renovation project. “New, improved working conditions will contribute to making the Basic Court in Mrkonjić Grad even more efficient. The reconstruction of the courthouse, in line with current European standards, has numerous advantages. The reconstruction included some of the offices, the archive, and a new modern courtroom, which is now adapted to the needs of people with mobility difficulties.
The European Union and its member states have provided significant financial support and technical assistance for justice sector reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to measures to support judicial reforms, the EU has also provided over 50 million euros in grants for the construction and reconstruction of buildings in the judicial sector, namely courts, prosecutors’ offices, prisons and detention facilities.
