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Serbian judges call for international support in reforming judicial system
WARSAW 18 October 2000
WARSAW, 18 October 2000 - A delegation of Serbian judges expressed the urgent need for international assistance with the reform of the judicial system in Serbia. The delegation was invited by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to present at this year's OSCE human rights conference in Warsaw the situation of the Serbian judiciary. The three judges, who were dismissed in the last months of the Milosevic regime, are board members of the Association of Independent Judges of Serbia.
"Without an independent judiciary there is no democracy", said Judge Leposava Karamarkovic. "The courts lost their independence during the Milosevic years and are almost completely dominated by the executive branch." She pointed at a system of dependence and corruption based on low salaries, favouritism, and intimidation in case of dissent. In the last months of the Milosevic regime, numerous judges were dismissed in order to ensure loyalty during the election period.
"This is the first opportunity for us to bring our situation to the attention of such a large international forum", said Judge Karamarkovic. She emphasized the need to establish international networks after a decade of isolation, also drawing on the experience of other ex-Yugoslav countries. "Numerous challenges lie ahead, with war crimes and the question of lustration being among the most difficult." The judges expressed their belief that independent courts will be crucial for dealing with war crimes and establishing individual responsibility.
Several government delegations to the conference expressed their interest to provide quick support. The OSCE will continue to assist the Serbian judiciary by facilitating and providing international help.
For further information contact Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, OSCE/ODIHR Public Affairs Officer at +48-22-5200600 or +48-603683122 (mobile).
"Without an independent judiciary there is no democracy", said Judge Leposava Karamarkovic. "The courts lost their independence during the Milosevic years and are almost completely dominated by the executive branch." She pointed at a system of dependence and corruption based on low salaries, favouritism, and intimidation in case of dissent. In the last months of the Milosevic regime, numerous judges were dismissed in order to ensure loyalty during the election period.
"This is the first opportunity for us to bring our situation to the attention of such a large international forum", said Judge Karamarkovic. She emphasized the need to establish international networks after a decade of isolation, also drawing on the experience of other ex-Yugoslav countries. "Numerous challenges lie ahead, with war crimes and the question of lustration being among the most difficult." The judges expressed their belief that independent courts will be crucial for dealing with war crimes and establishing individual responsibility.
Several government delegations to the conference expressed their interest to provide quick support. The OSCE will continue to assist the Serbian judiciary by facilitating and providing international help.
For further information contact Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, OSCE/ODIHR Public Affairs Officer at +48-22-5200600 or +48-603683122 (mobile).