Mr. Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), visited the Republic of Serbia from 3 to 5 September 2024, as part of preparations for his regular biannual report to the UN Security Council (UNSC).
The Prosecutor had high-level discussions with the President of Serbia, H.E. Aleksandar Vučić, the Minister of Justice, Maja Popović, and the Acting Chief War Crimes Prosecutor, Dušan Knežević, concerning the status of war crimes cases in Serbia and judicial cooperation in war crimes. The Prosecutor also met the Ambassador of the EU, Emanuele Giaufret, and other members of the diplomatic community.
Prosecutor Brammertz and President Vučić continued their open and constructive discussions concerning war crimes justice in Serbia, judicial cooperation in the region and the search for missing persons. They agreed that on these issues, the Mechanism Office of the Prosecutor provides welcome assistance to Serbian authorities. Prosecutor Brammertz explained that there are a significant number of war crimes cases that need to be transferred from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia, and President Vučić reaffirmed Serbia’s commitment to accepting and processing such cases to achieve justice and strengthen regional cooperation. Prosecutor Brammertz and President Vučić further discussed the vital importance of the search for missing persons and other measures to promote reconciliation and stability in the region.
Prosecutor Brammertz and Minister Popović exchanged views on regional cooperation in war crimes cases and war crimes justice in Serbia. Minister Popović detailed the assistance Serbia provides to judicial authorities in the region, while reporting that many requests from Serbian authorities to regional partners are pending. Prosecutor Brammertz welcomed the positive regional cooperation, particularly with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and highlighted the significant number of additional cases that would need to be transferred from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia in the near future, for which appropriate resources would need to be allocated. In this regard, Prosecutor Brammertz reiterated his Office’s long-standing concerns in relation to trials in absentia. Prosecutor Brammertz and Minister Popović further discussed certain challenges that are arising in war crimes cases, particularly the length of proceedings in Serbia. They agreed that assistance from the Mechanism Office of the Prosecutor continued to be necessary to support Serbian prosecutors and discussed future joint activities together.
Prosecutor Brammertz and Acting Chief War Crimes Prosecutor Knežević discussed the work the Office of the War Crimes Prosecutor. Acting Chief Prosecutor Knežević provided information on his Office’s activities and work. Prosecutor Brammertz recognized Acting Chief Prosecutor Knežević’s willingness to take on these responsibilities temporarily during the process of appointing the next Chief War Crimes Prosecutor of Serbia, and encouraged him to continue making full use of the evidence and expertise of the Mechanism Office of the Prosecutor.
Prosecutor Brammertz and Ambassador Giaufret continued their fruitful conversations on war crimes justice in Serbia, regional cooperation and negotiations for Serbia’s accession to the European Union. Prosecutor Brammertz again expressed his deep appreciation for the long-standing support of the EU to the Mechanism OTP, including financing through the joint EU-Mechanism project to support war crimes accountability in the region. Prosecutor Brammertz briefed Ambassador Giaufret on OTP activities and collaboration with Serbian authorities, and they exchanged views on issues related to regional cooperation, reconciliation and the rule of law. Prosecutor Brammertz and Ambassador Giaufret agreed that the assistance of the Mechanism OTP will continue to be vital to achieve progress on war crimes justice in Serbia and the region.
Prosecutor Brammertz visited Croatia earlier, and will also be visiting Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina for additional discussions concerning war crimes justice in the region, including by participating in the annual meeting of war crimes prosecutors from the region, which will be held this year in Podgorica.
Prosecutor Brammertz will present his next report to the UNSC later this year.
