(Sarajevo, 5 December 2019) – The Closing Conference of the Improving Court Efficiency and Accountability of |Judges and Prosecutors in BiH – Phase 2 (ICEA Project) was held today in Sarajevo. The conference was organised by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC BiH) with the aim of presenting the activities and results of the ICEA Project as financed by the government of Sweden between 2016 – 2019, and which was implemented by the HJPC BiH in cooperation with the courts in BiH and the Swedish National Courts Administration. 

The total value of the project is 2.3 million EUR, of which Grant funds for the HJPC BiH amounted to 1.5 million EUR with 800,000 EUR for the Swedish National Courts Administration. The primary goal of the ICEA Project was to reduce the number of pending cases and as well as the length of court procedures, focusing on the efficient management of various case types such as civil litigation, administrative, bankruptcy and liquidation as well as cases under enforcement procedure. Within the framework of the ICEA Project, cooperation was established for the first time between BiH courts and the Swedish National Courts Administration for the internal reorganisation of work processes and human resources in the courts in order to optimise conditions for the quicker and better performance of tasks and work processes at the courts. The ICEA Project also initiated activities on the reform of enforcement procedures, as well as for improving gender equality in the judiciary while also promoting and supporting the rights of vulnerable groups. 

The conference was opened by Torgny Svenungsson, Deputy Head of Mission and Counsellor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden to BiH and Mrs Ružica Jukić, Vice-President of the HJPC BiH, while presentations on the specific project results were given by Mr Kenan Softić, Head of the HJPC BiH ICT Department, Mrs Ana Bilić Andrijanić, ICEA Project Manager, Mr Jonas Högström, Head of the Department for Training and International Relations of the Swedish National Courts Administration, Mr Aid Hanušić, President of the Basic Court in Bijeljina, Mr Muhamed Tulumović, President of the Municipal Court in Tuzla, Mr Smajo Šabić, judge of the Municipal Court in Zenica and Ms Meliha Sendić, President of the Centre for Women’s Rights in Zenica.  

The Deputy Head of Mission and Counsellor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden to BiH, Torgny Svenungsson stated: ”Sweden supports judicial efficiency reforms through HJPC and the Swedish National Court Administration in a three year project.  In this project we aim to improve efficiency and shorter processing times for citizens.  The project is also about promoting gender equality in the judiciary as well as promoting dialogue with civil society in improving access to justice for vulnerable groups.“

 

HJPC BiH Vice-President, Ružica Jukić also added that our common goal is to have a judiciary that is in line with EU criteria and fully consistent with European standards. In consideration of this commitment, and the vast number of activities already implemented by the HJPC BiH in this area, we have continued out cooperation with the government of Sweden through the ICEA Project with activities that have contributed to improving judicial efficiency in BiH. “Together with our partners on the Project, the Swedish National Courts Administration and the courts in BiH, the HJPC BiH has approached the implementation of activities with utmost maturity, professionalism and responsibility.” said Vice-President Jukić adding that: “The HJPC BiH has shown that it is aware of the need to improve the efficiency of the judiciary and establish a fully functional justice sector in our country that is consistent with the highest standards, and I am convinced that this Project has contributed to the HJPC BiH and the judiciary in this vital process.” 

The Conference was attended by many dignitaries, members of the judiciary, as well as representatives of the legislative and executive branches, international institutions and organisations together with numerous other guests. 

Should you have any further enquiries please contact the Cabinet of the HJPC BiH Presidency by telephone on 033 707 570.

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