The EU reaffirms commitment to enhance BiH judicial system with the opening of the new premises of the Municipal Court in Zenica

The newly built part of the Municipal Court in Zenica opened today, illustrates the European Union's ongoing support for the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The European Union allocated 2 million euros to refurbish and renovate the Municipal Court in Zenica. Citizens of Zenica and the Zenica-Doboj canton, as well as judiciary professionals, now have access to modern and functional facilities where efficient and fair judicial proceedings will take place, as one of the keys for prosperity of the country and the EU perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“I am happy to be here today in Zenica for the official opening of the renovated and expanded Municipal Court. This event happens at a timely moment soon after the European Council provided a green light for accession negotiations with BiH. What we call fundamentals, democratic principles, justice, basic rights, the rule of law are the first cluster to be opened and the last one to be closed. So, coming to this Court which has been renovated with EU funds is a great pleasure. Effective, professional, and transparent public institutions must have functional and modern infrastructure to carry out their core functions. This intervention is part of a broader support that the EU has provided to BiH for the construction and renovation of 32 objects in 17 locations across the country”, said Stefano Ellero, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to BiH.

In the last 15 years, the European Union has continuously supported reforms in the judicial sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including contributing to the improvement of the digitization process, enabling specialised staff training, strengthening the security of case processing, and modernization, reconstruction and construction of new facilities of judicial institutions.

The President of the Municipal Court, Dženana Brković, on behalf of 157 Court employees, thanked the European Union for the support provided to ensuring a more efficient, professional and citizen friendly environment for the staff and citizens. “I am certain that our Court was chosen for this project based on our results over the past decade and we see this as an award for our dedicated work in contributing to strengthening the trust of citizens in the judiciary. Since 1960, when this institution became operational, through to 2021 we have not witnessed similar activity. We now have a new building of over 2,300m2, new courtrooms aligned with EU standards, a room for protected witnesses, our registry has been expanded and we have ensured access for persons with disabilities,” noted Brković.

The European Union has provided more than 50 million euros in grants for the construction and reconstruction of facilities in the judicial sector, including courts, prosecutor's offices, prisons and detention facilities from 2003 until today.

Nezir Pivić, Zenica Doboj Canton Prime Minister, underlined the importance of the continued dedicated work of judicial professionals in the Canton, adding that the support provided by the EU is to be seen as a response to their outputs. “Working in the judiciary is not an easy job and we should support them, given the circumstances and pressures they are facing. The Zenica-Doboj Cantonal government will always support a fully independent and functional judiciary. We are aware of the opportunity the EU has granted us and we want to continue implementing reforms within BiH to ensure a positive environment for citizens,” underlined the Cantonal Prime Minister.

The Municipal Court in Zenica is one of 32 courts and prosecutor's offices in 17 cities throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina that have been constructed or reconstructed by the European Union with the aim of increasing the efficiency of the judiciary and ensuring adequate services for the citizens of BiH.

Halil Lagumdžija, High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council President, on behalf of the institution, expressed gratitude to the largest bilateral partner – the Delegation of the European Union in BiH - for successfully implementing another significant infrastructural project during 15-year long cooperation.  “The Municipal Court in Zenica is one of the champions in the country, based on the quality and quantity of its results as well as the joint projects we are implementing with our international partners. In many projects it has been a pilot court and it will continue to lead the processes and train other courts, exchanging knowledge and best practices,” added the HJPC President.

“The mere fact that out of 17 judicial objects, six are located in Zenica-Doboj Canton, testifies that we have been chosen as one of the best partners for this process,” stressed Nebojša Nikolić, Zenica Doboj Cantonal Minister of Justice, adding that the Ministry is planning to continue the renovation works of the rest of the Municipal Court premises.

The support of the European Union is part of comprehensive and continuous support for the improvement of the working environment and security of the facilities of judicial institutions.