Support to Witnesses in Bihac

Witnesses appearing at trials held before judicial institutions in Bihac will receive expert support in the future – this was said during a ceremony to mark the beginning of work of the Witness Support Section with the Cantonal Court and Prosecution of Una-Sana Canton, USC.

The Section was opened with support from the US Government, UNDP and USC Government. Bihac was selected due to a large number of cases and successful results in solving war-crimes cases.

The Section will ensure psychological, social and logistical support to prosecution and defence witnesses during the investigation phase and trials, as well as after the trials.

“Upon receiving summons to appear in court, witnesses feel afraid. During the trial they experience the same trauma which they experienced before. Hearings have very often been postponed due to that fear. This will no longer be the case, because a psychologist will work with witnesses and victims from the beginning of the investigation, without influencing their testimonies, of course,” said Edina Arnautovic, President of the Cantonal Court in Bihac.  

Slobodan Tadic, Chief of the Bihac Office of UNDP, which implements the project, said that the opening of the Witness Support Section enabled the development of adequate standards needed for accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union.  

“On the other hand, it will enable us to have a sensible approach towards victims and witnesses, try to reduce their traumas and make it easier for them to go through that difficult process,” Tadic said.  

It was pointed out that the Cantonal Prosecution and Court in Bihac were among the most successful bodies when it came to solving war-crimes cases. Helping witnesses prepare for testimonies will contribute to even better and more efficient management of proceedings.  

As announced, it was expected that about 300 war-crimes cases would be referred from the state level to cantonal judicial bodies in Bihac. Cantonal Justice Minister Andrej Mamontov considers that the newly opened sections, support from the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and investments by the Una-Sana Cantonal Government would enable judicial institutions in Bihac to fulfil those tasks.

“I think that we shall be able to deal with that many cases, particularly when a new court building has been built in Bihac,” Mamontov said.