03.06.2007
In February, the Europe and Eurasia division of the Rule of Law Initiative (CEELI) hosted a reception that celebrated the 10 year anniversary of its legal reform program in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The event drew former and current partners and staff, including the Mission Director of USAID BiH, the president of the Court of BiH and the presidents of the BiH High Judicial Council.
The Rule of Law Initiative first established an office in Sarajevo in late 1996. Since that time, the Sarajevo office has spearheaded or assisted in numerous legal reform achievements, including:
Establishing the country's Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors, and reestablishing the Association of Judges and Prosecutors of the Republika Srpska.
Publishing a summary of all war crimes cases heard before the courts in BiH from 1992 - 2006.
Helping establish the Sarajevo-based Center for Free Access to Information.
Providing practical training on criminal procedure for defense attorneys throughout the country.
Introducing a variety of innovative teaching methodologies to BiH law schools, including moot court competitions and the first "live-client" legal clinic in the country.
The 10-year anniversary reception began with an address by Country Director Nebojsa Milanovic, followed by many celebratory toasts and speeches by representatives from local and international partners, including: Branko Peric, president of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council; Goran Salihovic, president of Sarajevo Municipal Court and president of the Association of Mediators of BiH; and Judge Aleksandra Martinovic, of the BiH Constitutional Court of the Federation and vice-president of the Association of Judges of the BiH Federation.
For more information, please contact Acting Country Director Nebojsa Milanovic, at <[email protected]>