TRIAL International stated in a press release that the United Nations (UN) Committee against Torture made a decision against Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in 2019, for non-fulfillment of obligations towards the survivor of war sexual violence.
The statement reminds that with the mentioned decision, the Committee orders BiH pay compensation, and to ensure the provision of appropriate and free medical and psychological support and a public official apology as soon as possible.
”The decision also states that BiH must establish an effective reparations system for victims of war crimes, including victims of sexual violence. TRIAL International pointed out this problem on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture this year as well, and called for this decision to be fully implemented,” it was stated in the statement.
”Progress on the implementation of the decision is minimal and far from satisfactory. The whole process is unnecessarily bureaucratic to the extent that no progress is visible almost three years after the adoption of the decision in question. Now it is the turn of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH, to which we addressed a letter, asking that for a start, as a minimum, without further delay ensure payment of damages to Ms. A.,” told Adrijana Hanusic Becirovic, senior legal advisor to TRIAL International.
The statement reminds that in April 2021, the first significant step was taken in the implementation of the decision of the UN Committee against Torture, when the BiH Council of Ministers asked the BiH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees to prepare an implementation plan within 90 days. The working group, whose task was to prepare an implementation plan, never met in its full composition, and none of the recommendations was fully implemented – according to TRIAL International.
They remind that on June 7th, 2022, TRIAL International, as a representative of the survivor, reported to the UN Committee on the course of (non) implementation of this decision.
