A comprehensive and multi-layered document offering analysis of the current safety and security concerns of the judges and prosecutors dealing with difficult cases, as well as proposals for their improvement was discussed in detail and adopted by the subject Working group of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 22-23 September 2022 in Tuzla.

The document was developed over the past 10 months and it is a result of the close cooperation and coordination between the local court police professionals and the Council of Europe consultants. It focuses on the safety and security of the judges and prosecutors but also touches upon the protection of their families and property.

In analysing this Platform document, intended to grow into a fully-fledged strategy in the coming period, the judicial function holders assessed it as a good starting point for further work, recommended that it ultimately be shared with police agencies to ensure a common understanding of this issue and jointly committed to taking further steps to promote this issue.

''Luckily, I was a subject of police protection only twice over the past 20 years of my professional experience. And from that perspective, I offer my full support to the development of this document and thank you also to the Council of Europe for recognising the importance of such a valuable document'', says dr Katica Artuković, President of the Cantonal Court in Široki Brijeg, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Following adoption of the Platform by the Working Group for security of the judicial function holders, the document will be put forward for its formal endorsement before the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This pilot project ''Enhancing safety and security of the judicial function holders in Bosnia and Herzegovina’’ is financed from the Council of Europe funds and it was implemented in close cooperation between its staff in Strasbourg HQ and Sarajevo field office.