The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, yesterday issued a Decision to reform the justice system in BiH by appointing members to the three High Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils at the BiH and Entity level. These councils will be responsible for strengthening the integrity and independence of the judicial system. A full list of the appointees, comprising prominent local and international judges, prosecutors and legal practitioners, is attached. The High Representative also issued a Decision today giving the Independent Judicial Commission a new mandate, making it clear that its primary purpose is now to serve as secretariat for the Councils in the selection of the judges and prosecutors in the re-structured judicial and prosecutorial system. The FBiH and RS Entity Councils will each have sixteen members – both will include the same eight international members, together with six national members from that Entity and two national members from the Council of the other Entity. The BiH Council will have all eight international and the twelve national members of the Entity Councils, plus five more national members, giving a total of twenty-five. All Councils will be chaired by Judge Jan Erik Oja of Sweden, and the deputy chairperson will be Mr John Peyton, a prosecutor from the USA currently working in BiH. These reforms will streamline the justice system in BiH. The three new Councils replace the 24 judicial and prosecutorial commissions and councils set up in 2000. The Councils are charged with the appointment of all judges and prosecutors in BiH, with some exceptions such as the Constitutional and Minor Offence Courts. They will also conduct proceedings against judges and prosecutors alleged to have committed disciplinary offences. In addition to appointing and disciplining judges and prosecutors, the Councils will in the future carry out a range of other activities, such as supervising advanced professional training for judges and prosecutors. From the year 2004 the Councils will also make Court budget recommendations to Parliaments to ensure that Courts are properly and independently funded and supported.
Appointments to the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska
High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mr. Zdenko Eterovic Judge of the Supreme Court of the FBiH
Ms. Alma Tiric Deputy Prosecutor of the FBiH
Mr. Davorin Jukic Judge of the Cantonal Court Sarajevo
Mr. Izo Tankic Cantonal Prosecutor Tuzla
Ms. Danka Vucina Attorney, Mostar
Mr. Kasim Begic Professor of the Law Faculty in Sarajevo
High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of the Republika Srpska
Mr. Stevan Savic Judge of the Supreme Court of the RS
Ms. Svetlana Maric Deputy Basic Public Prosecutor Banja Luka
Ms. Marica Vucetic-Zelenbabic Judge of the District Court Doboj
Ms. Ranka Mrsic Deputy District Public Prosecutor Srpsko Sarajevo
Mr. Milorad Ivosevic Attorney, Banja Luka
Mr. Branko Peric Journalist, Banja Luka
International Members to Serve on the High Judicial Councils of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and of the Republika Sprska
Mr. Silvio Bonfigli Prosecutor (Italy)
Mr. Christopher Harland Attorney (Canada)
Mr. Carlos Lobo Judge (Portugal)
Ms. Susanne Moeller Judge (Finland)
Mr. Jan Erik Oja Judge (Sweden)
Ms. Sylvie Pantz Judge (France)
Mr. John Peyton Prosecutor (United States)
Dr. Axel Schwarz Attorney (Germany)
Additional Members of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH (appointed for a transitional period up until 31 December 2003).
Mr. Branko Morait Judge of Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mr. Venceslav Ilic Judge of Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mr. Mirza Jusufovic Judge of the Appellate Court of Brcko District
Mr. Zekerija Mujkanovic Public Prosecutor of Brcko District
Ms. Ljiljana Mijovic Assistant Professor of the Law Faculty in Banja Luka
International members of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils appointed as President and Vice President of each of the three Councils.
Mr. Jan Erik Oja President
Mr. John Peyton Vice President