OSCE human rights office launches report on needs of judiciaries in handling war crimes cases in the Balkans

THE HAGUE, 23 September 2009 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute launched a joint report today analysing the needs of local judiciaries in dealing with war crimes committed in the Balkans in the 1990s. 

"As the Tribunal is in the process of completing its mandate, this report paves the way for an efficient knowledge transfer from the Tribunal to national authorities involved in investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating war crimes cases by looking at what these authorities need to fulfil their responsibilities in an effective way," said Ambassador Janez Lenarcic, the Director of ODIHR.

"It is at the heart of the mandate of the OSCE to assist with building the capacity of judiciaries, and this report provides an important basis for future projects helping to preserve the Tribunal's legacy in the region."

The report, titled Supporting the Transition Process: Lessons Learned and Best Practices in Knowledge Transfer, presents the outcomes of a research initiative launched last year by the three organizations.

It provides concrete recommendations for further action to bolster the capacity of the region to continue bringing to justice those responsible for war crimes committed during the armed conflicts in the region.

The report is available on the OSCE website: /odihr