Federal Administration admin.ch
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC
SDC – on location worldwide

Visit Swiss Cooperation Office websites.

Switzerland
Switzerland 
Search under:

Project overview

A more efficient prosecutorial system in Bosnia and Herzegovina


In the interest of an independent and more efficient judiciary, the SDC is supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in its efforts to improve its prosecutorial system. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the public prosecution office of the Canton of Zurich.

The aim is to improve the efficiency and credibility of the prosecutorial system and thus to help strengthen the rule of law and democracy as well as the political and social stabilisation of the country. Specifically, efforts are under way to improve the working methods and operational efficiency of all 20 public prosecution offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). This four-year project involves regular dialogue among specialists.  As part of this exchange of experience, a delegation from the Bosnian prosecution office visited the Zurich Department of Justice and Home Affairs in October 2011.

The project promotes the application of international criminal justice standards.  It also aims to strengthen collaboration and coordination between public prosecution offices and the police in criminal proceedings. Improved public relations and a professional interaction with clients should positively impact the public perception of public prosecution offices. The project supports the strengthening of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC), an independent judicial commission set up in Bosnia in 2001 responsible for coordinating and harmonising the judicial system. The HJPC is expected to be able to exercise is oversight role more effectively in the future. 

The SDC has supported this judicial project in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2010. The SDC continuously provides experienced specialists to assist in the implementation of a judicial reform that was launched in 2001.

 blank

The project in brief

Domain
Cooperation with Eastern Europe
Teme
Rule of law, democracy
Country / Region
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Partners
  • High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC)
  • Department of Justice of the Canton of Zurich
  • Local support office
  • Justice and Police ministries
  • Police authorities
  • 20 public prosecution offices
  • Training centres for judges and public prosecutors in the Republika Srpska and the BiH Federation
  • Selected NGOs 
Background information
To achieve social and political stabilisation, Bosnia and Herzegovina needs an independent and efficient judiciary. The government recently adopted its judicial strategy for 2008-2012, but its implementation still requires the support of specialists.
Project target
The project improves the credibility of the public prosecution office in Bosnia and Herzegovina and brings it into line with the judicial reform strategy.
Target group
Public prosecutors and public prosecution offices in BiH, Criminal Investigation Department/Criminal police, Training centres, HJPC in its oversight and training role, General population
Costs
CHF 3,110,000
Duration
01.03.2010-31.03.2014

Additional Information and Documents