The OSCE Mission to BiH launched the War Crimes Case Map (http://www.warcrimesmap.
The map is designed for journalists, civic activists, academics, policymakers and the public at large. It will enable all users to easily search for information concerning all completed war crimes adjudicated in BiH.
Since 2003, more than 240 cases have been completed, and approximately 1,200 cases remain to be processed. The War Crimes Case Map encompasses state, entity and Brčko District levels, and is available in English and local languages.
“The judicial processing of war crimes, perhaps more than any other aspect of the justice system, requires openness and transparency,” said Fletcher M. Burton, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. “This will help to develop public understanding of how war crimes are processed, and to strengthen trust in the justice system. The map is meant to facilitate this process.”
Milorad Novkovic, President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) stressed the importance of such an open database. “The War Crimes Case Map is a useful tool available to the public at large and will contribute to transparency of war crimes processing. This is not an easy task, and the BiH judiciary is trying to appropriately address it.”
Meddzida Kreso, President of the BiH Court said: ”The Map will enable everyone – not only professionals, judges and prosecutors, but also every citizen of BiH – to receive information at any moment on completed war crimes cases, broken down by location, and to find out the results of the work of all judicial institutions in this segment.”
“The Map is an integral part of the OSCE’s broader support to the BiH judicial authorities and will help monitor the progress made in implementing the National War Crimes Strategy,” said OSCE’s Burton.
A video cast on the interactive Map featuring Christopher Engels, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH’s Rule of Law Section, is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?
