Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), Serge Brammertz, visited the Republic of Montenegro from September 16th to 19th, as part of preparations for the regular semi-annual report to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). During several high-level meetings, the prosecutor also addressed issues concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and announced his visit to BiH next week for further discussions on justice for war crimes in the region.
The Prosecutor held high-level meetings with the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic, Prime Minister Milo Spajic, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic, Minister for European Affairs Maida Gorcevic, Minister of Justice Bojan Bozovic, Chief State Prosecutor Milorad Markovic, and Chief Special Prosecutor Vladimir Novovic.
During the meetings, Prosecutor Brammertz praised the new momentum in Montenegro regarding the prosecution of war crimes and commended the government’s approach to this important issue, which enjoys broad political support. He also expressed satisfaction with the excellent cooperation between the IRMCT Prosecutor’s Office and the Special State Prosecutor’s Office of Montenegro (SDT).
Brammertz provided information on the assistance that the IRMCT Prosecutor’s Office had offered to the SDT. After reviewing more than ten million pages of material gathered during its work, the IRMCT identified several Montenegrin citizens suspected of participating in war crimes, including severe crimes of sexual violence. The relevant evidence was analyzed and handed over to the SDT.
The prosecutor emphasized the urgency of increasing human resources for the SDT, which is outlined in the National War Crimes Investigation Strategy.
Discussions also focused on regional cooperation and reconciliation. Prosecutor Brammertz acknowledged Montenegro’s positive approach in cooperating with other countries in the region on prosecuting war crimes, particularly with BiH. Opportunities were also identified for further improving cooperation with Croatia, which the IRMCT Prosecutor’s Office will continue to support. Montenegrin counterparts stressed their strong commitment to fostering positive neighborly relations and building trust among all communities.
Prosecutor Brammertz had earlier this month visited Croatia and Serbia, and next week he will visit BiH for further discussions on justice for war crimes in the region.
Brammertz will present his next report to the UNSC later this year.
