The Working Group drafting the National War Crimes Strategy today adopted a final draft strategy.

The strategy for the first time provides a clear and comprehensive view of the measures and resources needed to completing the most complex and highest priority war crimes cases within seven years and other war crimes cases within fifteen years from the time of adoption of the Strategy.

Present at the meeting Principal Deputy High Representative Raffi Gregorian said, “this Strategy will establish a rational, coherent and objective process for dealing with war crimes. It will provide transparency for the public and as a result will enhance public confidence in BiH’s judiciary.”

The working group was made up of representatives from State, Entity and Brcko District bodies competent for justice, policing and war crimes.

Congratulating the Prosecutor’s Office BiH and all members of the Working Group for their tremendous efforts in developing the Strategy, High Representative and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák said; “this is an important milestone for BiH, but there is much work still ahead. The Council of Ministers should adopt the Strategy as soon as possible so its implementation can begin early in the new-year”.

BiH Justice Minister Barisa Colak will now present BiH’s National War Crimes Strategy to the Council of Ministers for adoption.

The Peace Implementation Council (PIC) has set the adoption of this Strategy as one of five objectives and two conditions that will indicate that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a peaceful and viable state irreversibly on the road to EU integration. Its adoption is a precondition for the PIC to begin the transition from the Office of the High Representative to EU Special Representative.