OSCE and Human Rights Chamber for BiH release database CD

SARAJEVO, 18 July 2002 - The OSCE Mission and the Human Rights Chamber for Bosnia and Herzegovina have today released a searchable database on CD of all the decisions of the Chamber up to 31 December 2001. It will enable lawyers, non-governmental organizations, students and authorities to access the extensive human rights case law of the Chamber.

It is possible to search all decisions of the Chamber up to 31 December 2001 in English, Latinic and Cyrillic text by keyword, applicant's name, respondent party, case number, European Convention Article, date and type of decision. Work is currently underway to update the database through June 2002 and monthly thereafter.

The human rights case law of the Chamber is of great interest in Europe and the rest of the world as the Chamber is one of the few courts issuing decisions based on the European Convention on Human Rights. For this reason, the database will be accessible through the Internet in the near future.

The Human Rights Chamber is a judicial body established under Annex 6 to the Dayton Peace Agreement. Its mandate is to receive for resolution or decision applications concerning alleged or apparent violations of human rights within the scope of the European Convention on Human Rights or discrimination in the exercise of the rights and freedoms provided for in the international agreements listed in the appendix to Annex 6. As such, it is the highest court of human rights within Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Copies of the CD database will be distributed to courts and prosecutors offices and other relevant institutions. Copies can also be obtained at the nearest OSCE Office.