International Tribunal for War Crimes in Former Yugoslavia Faces Transitional Issues

As the International Tribunal for War Crimes in Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) draws closer to its wind up, it faces a bevy of transitional issues, especially as it attempts to transfer cases to national tribunals in the countries affected by the conflict. On January 19, 2007, Bosnian officials opposed the ICTY’s proposed transfer of the case of Milrad Trbic. Trbic, a Bosnian Serb Army security officer, is charged in connection with the Srebrenica massacre. Bosnian authorities have said that his proposed transfer might pose a risk to himself or others. Milana Popadic, a Bosnian justice ministry representative, said Bosnia lacked facilities to accommodate detainees who pose a danger due psychological problems. Popadic also argued that it would be inappropriate for the tribunal to refer genocide-related cases to the Bosnian court ... [more]