The visit was organized by TRIAL International – Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with Human Rights Action (HRA), through the workshop titled “Exchange of Experiences and Knowledge between the Judiciary of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro on the Prosecution of War Crimes Cases.”

During the visit, the judges became acquainted with the practice of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina in war crimes cases, especially with measures for the protection of victims and witnesses, which allow for testimony without fear or retraumatization. Acting President of the Court of BiH, Judge Minka Kreho, presented the work of the War Crimes Department, the conduct of main hearings, and:

✔️ The procedure for witness support from the first contact to the end of the proceedings;
✔️ Status conferences used to plan witness testimony and protection;
✔️ The practice of not summoning witnesses unless their presence is essential, thereby reducing additional stress.

A change in approach to victims of sexual violence was also emphasized — they are no longer required to submit medical documentation from the time of the crime. Thanks to improved education and a more sensitive approach by judges, practices have been adapted to fully respect victims’ testimonies and protect their dignity.

The judges were also introduced to the organizational structure of the Court of BiH, modeled after the Hague Tribunal and considered the most modern court in the region. Courtroom 6 was especially highlighted as the best in the Balkans. The public gallery in all courtrooms is soundproofed, so the public follows the trial through speakers. Courtroom 4 has a special box for disruptive defendants, allowing for their acoustic isolation without interrupting the trial.

They also learned about the practice of grouping charges by counts with clear separation of evidence for each, and the work of the Legal Department, the Witness Support Department, court administration, and the Public Relations Department. All trials are audio-visually recorded, which contributes to efficiency and transparency, and each judicial panel is supported by a legal associate, two advisors, and an intern.

This activity was carried out within the project funded by the Government of the Netherlands and implemented by TRIAL International in cooperation with Human Rights Action from Montenegro.