CONFERENCE: Bosnia's Obligations to Female Survivors of War Crimes

A conference on the obligations of Bosnia and Herzegovina to women survivors of war crimes organized by the Swiss Association Against Impunity (TRIAL) was held in Sarajevo on Wednesday.

The conference aimed at informing key actors on the recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and at initiating dialogue for creating an operating plan implementing the CEDAW recommendations.

Working groups at the conference dealt with the topics of stigma, social rights and criminal justice.

Coordinator Nela Porobic Isakovic spoke about the problem of stigma, which hinders the rights of survivors of sexual abuse and rape, and the media's role.

"Victims have very little space to tell their story, not just about what happened to them, but also about any problems they face today," stressed Porobic Isakovic.

Rusmira Gaco spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina about social rights and the importance of establishing a law on the protection of victims of torture and civilian victims of war. She suggested the TRIAL Association conduct an analysis of the situation and form a professional team of representatives from relevant institutions, NGOs, civil societies and international organizations to prepare an action plan for implementing the CEDAW recommendations.

TRIAL Adviser for Human Rights Selma Korjenic stressed the necessity of improving efficiency in the area of criminal justice.

"We will send the document we put together to all relevant institutions...and we will strive to build a dialogue in the further procedure, so that they can implement the recommendations."

Conclusions adopted by the working groups at the conference will be addressed to the ministries of judicial and prosecutor councils at all levels across the country.