Local Justice – Zenica: Establishment of Witness Support Network
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“The network would allow a multidisciplinary approach and continuous support to witnesses and their families,” said Mediha Husic, Director of “Medica” NGO from Zenica.
Vesna Kaknjo, Chief Prosecutor with the Zenica Cantonal Prosecution, expressed her support to the implementation of the project, but she mentioned that there had been no major need for support to witnesses so far.
“We have seven ongoing investigations at present. There has been no particular need to offer expert support to witnesses so far, because they have been cooperative with the prosecutor. However, as we are expecting war crimes cases to be transferred and we do not know if there will be one, 100 or 200 such cases, I can say that we give our support to the establishment of the network as a transitional solution until we have established institutional support to witnesses,” Kaknjo said.
Amra Hamidovic, legal advisor with OSCE, mentioned that the OSCE Mission had established contacts with the new Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton and presented the Witness Support Network Project to it, stressing the need to enhance judicial capacities.
Dž.S.
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