A Memorandum of Understanding between the Norwegian Embassy of BiH, High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH (HJPC BiH), The Ministry of Justice of Republika Srpska, the District Court of East Sarajevo and Municipality of East Sarajevo, regarding renovation of the building where the District Court of East Sarajevo will be located, has been signed in East Sarajevo. This MoU will provide for all involved parties to fulfill their obligations in a timely manner, and in that way execute this project properly and in due time.
The Government of the Kingdom of Norway donated Euros 490 000 for the reconstruction of the premises of the District Court of East Sarajevo.
Momentum of Understanding (English) Momentum of Understanding (English) Momentum of Understanding (Bosnian)
“With a new grant of nearly half a million Euros to ensure the reconstruction of the new location of East Sarajevo District Court Norway expands its already substantial support to the strengthening of the justice sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina” Norwegian Ambassador Jan Braathu stated at the signing ceremony.
“An independent, fair and efficient judiciary is in the best interest of every country, also BiH. Only a free and fair judicial system can ensure that all citizens’ rights are respected and protected. Making this happen is a government responsibility. I am delighted that the Ministry of Justice of Republika Srpska, The District Court itself and the High Judicial and Prosecutoral Council are partners in this endevour” the Ambassador continued.
Norway has supported the development of the judiciary, the justice sector and the rule of law as such in Bosnia and Herzegovina for several years, with a financial contribution this year amounting to approximately Euros 2,2 million.
Ambassador Braathu underlined the importance of the good partnership with BiH's own institutions, and that the country's own priorities should be the basis for cooperation.
The reconstruction of court buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the strategic priorities for the HJPC BiH. For such a purpose, the HJPC prepared a comprehensive analysis of the conditions in all court buildings, resulting in the need of some 23,5 million KM to reconstruct courts to meet satisfactory operative standards. For a number of courts in BiH, donors have been found and these courts are now working in reconstructed space, but unfortunately we have to say that there is still a number of courts in BiH, working in impossible conditions.
President of the HJPC said: “I would use this opportunity to give my sincere gratitude to Ambassador Jan Braathu and the government of Norway, who has been supporting the HJPC from its inception, and not just the HJPC, but the entire judicial system of this country. Without your financial support, we surely would not have been able to conduct many activities in the past period. Also, I would use the occasion to thank the government of Republika Srpska and East Sarajevo municipality, who have recognized the importance of this project and succeeded in providing the remaining funds to start implementing this important project.”
Alisei, an NGO operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been selected as the Implementing Partner for the repair and renovation project.