USAID's Justice Activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Quarterly Report January 2016 – March 2016

The purpose of the initiative is to help justice sector institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina effectively combat government corruption, prosecute serious crimes, and build public trust. The initiative has three components: Component 1, which involves strengthening the professional status and performance of prosecutor offices; Component 2, which focuses on improving efficiencies in the enforcement of judgments; and Component 3, which aims to strengthen the justice sector institutions to uphold public integrity and combat corruption. Component 1 includes activities such as implementing a prosecutor partnership program with 19 prosecutor offices, preparing diagnostic assessments of key issues, and providing individual assistance and partnership programs with each office. The initiative also supports the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel to enhance ethical standards and integrity. Component 2, which is being terminated as of March 30, 2016, aimed to improve enforcement procedures in courts. Component 3 involves activities such as improving the capacity of courts and prosecutors to enforce laws against corrupt officials. In this quarter, the Justice Activity began implementing activities from the approved Year 2 Work Plan. The initiative completed the process of developing Prosecutor Office Assistance Plans with the six Year 2 partner prosecutor offices. These plans were shared with the offices for their consideration and approval, and implementation started with a review of each office's management and investigative capacity to prosecute cases of corruption. Experts in criminal and financial investigations were provided to the offices to give them the mentoring and advice they needed to advance their current caseload. The implementation of the Prosecutor Office Assistance Plans is measured by the Prosecutor Offices Capacity Matrix. To date, the matrix has indicated significant progress for Year 1 prosecutor offices who signed plans with the Justice Activity. The initiative is also building the capacity of partner prosecutor offices to conduct Prosecutor-Guided Investigations and form joint police-prosecutor teams to handle cases of economic crime and corruption. The Justice Activity works in partnership with key actors and stakeholders in the justice systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, partner courts and prosecutor offices, and ministries of justice. The initiative is led by a project team of national legal experts with in-depth knowledge of the BiH judicial system, supported by a wide range of international and national experts who provide specialized expertise. The main objectives of the Justice Activity are to enhance the status and performance of prosecutors, improve the integrity of the justice sector to garner public trust, and improve the capacity of courts and prosecutors to enforce laws against corrupt officials. The initiative plays a key role in USAID's efforts to strengthen national capacities for combating corruption and organized crime.