ZUBAN v. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA and 17 other applications

FOURTH SECTION

Application no. 7175/06
Samka ZUBAN against Bosnia and Herzegovina
and 17 other applications
(see list appended)

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicants are Ms Samka Zuban (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1957), Mr Jasmin Hamidović (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1964), Ms Malka Muratspahić (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1957), Ms Branka Žerajić (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1946), Ms Munira Mujkanović (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1964), Ms Asima Memić (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1938), Mr Vehidin Elezović (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1974), Mr Muharem Elezović (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1943), Ms Naila Bajrić (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1945), Ms Sabiha Huskanović (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1965), Mr Nail Demirović (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1935), Mr Omer Demirović (a Slovenian citizen born in 1982), Ms Munira Avdić (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1950), Mr Mufid Demirović (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1967), Ms Munira Dautović (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1970), Ms Lejla Fazlić (a Bosnian‑Herzegovinian citizen born in 1992), Ms Dženana Fazlić (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1984), Ms Fatima Selimović (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1963), Ms Ismeta Mahmuljin (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1942), Mr Muharem Mahmuljin (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1941), Ms Mira Gojković (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1955), Ms Refika Ališković (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1967), Ms Mersija Hodžić a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1937), Ms Emira Biščević (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1956), Mr Edin Ramulić (a Bosnian‑Herzegovinian citizen born in 1970), Mr Radomir Stjepanović (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1941) and Ms Rajka Stjepanović (a Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizen born in 1944).

A. The circumstances of the case

The facts, as submitted by the applicants, may be summarised as follows.

1. The case of Ms Samka Zuban

At the beginning of the 1992-95 war, the applicant’s husband, Mr Fikret Zuban, joined the ARBH forces[1]. On 9 June 1992, while taking part in a combat operation, he was captured by the VRS forces[2]; he has not been seen again.

In April 1998, at the applicant’s request, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to her husband.

On 3 November 2004 the domestic Human Rights Commission held that there had been a breach of Articles 3 and 8 of the Convention. It ordered the Republika Srpska[3] to release all information within its possession, control, and knowledge with respect to the fate and whereabouts of the applicant’s husband. It also ordered that Entity to conduct a full, meaningful, thorough and detailed investigation aimed at making known the fate or whereabouts of the applicant’s husband and bringing those responsible to justice before the competent domestic or international criminal courts. Lastly, it awarded the applicant 5,000 convertible marks (BAM)[4] for non-pecuniary damage.

It would appear that the applicant’s husband is still missing and that an investigation into his disappearance is still pending.

2. The case of Mr Jasmin Hamidović

On 3 June 1992 the VRS forces placed the applicant’s father, Mr Nedžib Hamidović, in Topola internment camp. The applicant had stayed in contact with him through a Serbian friend until 13 June 1992 when his father was taken from the camp to an unknown location; he has not been seen again.

On 3 November 2004 the domestic Human Rights Commission held that there had been a breach of Articles 3 and 8 of the Convention. It ordered the Republika Srpska to release all information within its possession, control, and knowledge with respect to the fate or whereabouts of the applicant’s father. It further ordered that Entity to conduct a full, meaningful, thorough and detailed investigation aimed at making known the fate or whereabouts of the applicant’s father and bringing those responsible to justice before the competent domestic or international criminal courts. Lastly, it awarded the applicant BAM 5,000 for non-pecuniary damage.

Mortal remains of the applicant’s father were returned to the family on
7 November 2006. It would appear that an investigation into his killing is still pending.

3. The case of Ms Malka Muratspahić

The applicant’s father, Mr Sulejmen Odžaković, went missing in an area controlled by the VRS forces on an unknown date in May 1992.

On 9 November 2005 the domestic Human Rights Commission held that there had been a breach of Articles 3 and 8 of the Convention. It ordered the relevant domestic authorities to conduct a full, meaningful, thorough and detailed investigation aimed at making known the fate or whereabouts of the applicant’s father and to release all information within their possession. No compensation was awarded.

Mortal remains of the applicant’s father were returned to the family on 3 August 2006. It would appear that an investigation into his killing is still pending.

4. The case of Ms Branka Žerajić

At the beginning of the war, the applicant’s husband, Mr Božidar Žerajić, was in an area of Sarajevo controlled by the ARBH forces. Between 25 June and 7 July 1992 he was held in a military prison in Sarajevo. On the latter date, he was offered the possibility of being transferred to an area controlled by the VRS forces, but he refused and returned to his flat. On 24 July 1992 five persons in military uniforms took Mr Božidar Žerajić from his flat to an unknown location; he has not been seen again.

In September 1999, at the applicant’s request, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to her husband.

On 3 November 2004 the domestic Human Rights Commission held that there had been a breach of Articles 3 and 8 of the Convention. It ordered the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to release all information within its possession, control, and knowledge with respect to the fate and whereabouts of the applicant’s husband and to conduct a full, meaningful, thorough and detailed investigation aimed at making known the fate or whereabouts of the applicant’s husband and bringing those responsible to justice before the competent domestic or international criminal courts. It further awarded the applicant BAM 5,000 for non-pecuniary damage.

On 18 October 2007 the Constitutional Court held that the decision of the Human Rights Commission of 3 November 2004 had not yet been enforced. This decision was sent to the State Prosecutor (obstruction of enforcement of the decisions of the Human Rights Commission is a criminal offence).

On 6 February 2008 the Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecutor sent a letter to the applicant informing her that her husband had neither been treated in a public hospital nor buried in a public cemetery during the war. It also notified the applicant that the criminal case concerning her husband’s disappearance had been taken over by the State Prosecutor.

On 10 December 2010 the State Prosecutor decided not to prosecute any public official for the non-enforcement of the Human Rights Commission’s decision of 3 November 2004. It held that the relevant authorities had taken all reasonable steps to clarify the fate or whereabouts of Mr Božidar Žerajić, such as interviewing a number of people at the request of either the Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecutor or the State Prosecutor. Therefore, notwithstanding the fact that the Human Rights Commission’s decision of 3 November 2004 had not been enforced, the State Prosecutor concluded that no public official had prevented or frustrated in any manner the enforcement of that decision.

It would appear that the applicant’s husband is still missing and that an investigation into his disappearance is still pending.

5. The case of Ms Munira Mujkanović

In May 1992, after having taken control of the town of Kozarac in the municipality of Prijedor, the VRS forces arrested the applicant’s husband, Mr Fahrudin Mujkanović. He was placed in Trnopolje internment camp.

On 21 August 1992 approximately 1,200 civilians from the municipality of Prijedor (including the applicant’s husband and many other Bosniacs and Croats from Trnopolje camp) were loaded on buses and trucks heading for an area controlled by the ARBH forces. When they arrived on Mount Vlašić, police officers separated around 200 military-aged men from the rest of the convoy. They were told that they would be exchanged for Serbs held by the ARBH forces and were taken in two buses up the mountain, to Korićanske stijene. The men from one bus were ordered to get off, after which they were taken to the side of the road above a deep cliff, ordered to kneel, and then shot and killed. The men from the other bus were taken off in groups of two or three, and then shot and killed on the side of the road. Only twelve men survived the massacre, mainly by hiding under the corpses of others. On 24 July 2003 Mr Darko Mrđa pleaded guilty before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to having participated in the massacre. He was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment.

In November 1998, at the applicant’s request, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to her husband.

On 16 July 2007 the Constitutional Court adopted a decision concerning a large number of missing people (including the applicant’s husband). It found a breach of Articles 3 and 8 of the Convention and the corresponding constitutional provisions. It ordered the authorities to release all information in their possession pertaining to the fate or whereabouts of the missing persons listed in the decision and to ensure that the State agencies envisaged by the Missing Persons Act 2004[5] (namely, the Missing Persons Institute, the Central Records and the Missing Persons Fund) become operational. No compensation was awarded. On 27 March 2009 the Constitutional Court concluded that the decision of 16 July 2007 was to be considerd enforced.

In 2009 and 2010 Mr Damir Ivanković, Mr Gordan Đurić and Mr Ljubiša Četić pleaded guilty before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to having participated in the Korićanske stijene massacre. They were sentenced to 14, 8 and 13 years’ imprisonment, respectively. According to the sentencing judgments against them, the applicant’s husband was one of their victims. Two more cases concerning that crime are still pending before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina against Mr Zoran Babić, Mr Petar Čivčić, Mr Dušan Janković, Mr Radoslav Knežević, Mr Marinko Ljepoja, Mr Željko Stojnić, Mr Milorad Škrbić, Mr Branko Topola and Mr Saša Zečević. Izvor, a war victims’ association of which the applicant is a member, has been involved to some extent in those criminal proceedings.

Remains of about 100 men killed at Korićanske stijene have so far been identified, but the applicant’s husband is not among them.

The day of the massacre is commemorated annually.

6. The case of Ms Asima Memić

In May 1992, after having taken control of the town of Kozarac in the municipality of Prijedor, the VRS forces arrested the applicant’s son, Mr Asmir Memić. He was placed in Trnopolje internment camp.

On 21 August 1992 many internees from Trnopolje camp were killed at Korićanske stijene (for more details, see the facts in the case of Ms Munira Mujkanović above). It was established in criminal proceedings before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that the applicant’s son was among them. His mortal remains, however, have not yet been identified. The applicant lodged a constitutional appeal in this connection; the Constitutional Court’s decision of 16 July 2007, mentioned in the case of Ms Munira Mujkanović, concerns also the applicant’s son.

In March 2005, at the request of the family, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to Mr Asmir Memić.

7. The case of Mr Vehidin Elezović

In July 1992 the VRS forces arrested the applicant’s father, Mr Fahrudin Elezović, and placed him in Keraterm internment camp. In August 1992 he was transferred to Trnopolje internment camp.

On 21 August 1992 many internees from Trnopolje camp were killed at Korićanske stijene (for more details, see the facts in the case of Ms Munira Mujkanović above). It was established in criminal proceedings before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that the applicant’s father was among them. His mortal remains, however, have not been identified. The applicant lodged a constitutional appeal in this connection; the Constitutional Court’s decision of 16 July 2007, mentioned in the case of Ms Munira Mujkanović, concerns also the applicant’s father.

In February 2004, at the applicant’s request, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to his father.

8. The case of Mr Muharem Elezović

In July 1992 the VRS forces arrested the applicant’s children, Mr Edin Elezović and Mr Emir Elezović, and placed them in Keraterm internment camp. They were later transferred to Trnopolje internment camp.

On 21 August 1992 many internees from Trnopolje camp were killed at Korićanske stijene (for more details, see the facts in the case of Ms Munira Mujkanović above). It was established in criminal proceedings before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that the applicant’s children were among them. Their mortal remains have not been identified. The applicant lodged a constitutional appeal in this connection; the Constitutional Court’s decision of 16 July 2007, mentioned in the case of Ms Munira Mujkanović, concerns also the applicant’s children.

In July 1999, at the request of the applicant, the competent court issued declarations of presumed death with respect to his children.

On 27 April 2009 the applicant lodged an application for reparations on account of his children’s disappearance under the War Damage Act 2005[6]. On 10 September 2010 the Republika Srpska authorities held that the time‑limit had expired on 19 June 2001 and, accordingly, rejected the application. On 24 September 2010 the applicant appealed, but it would appear that he has not yet received any response.

9. The case of Ms Naila Bajrić

In July 1992 the VRS forces arrested the applicant’s son, Mr Zafir Bajrić, and her husband, Mr Šerif Bajrić, and placed them in Keraterm internment camp. They were later transferred to Trnopolje internment camp.

On 21 August 1992 many internees from Trnopolje camp were killed at Korićanske stijene (for more details, see the facts in the case of Ms Munira Mujkanović above). It was established in criminal proceedings before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that the applicant’s son and husband were among them. Mortal remains (that is, two bones) of the applicant’s son have recently been identified. Her husband’s mortal remains have not yet been identified. The applicant lodged a constitutional appeal in this connection; the Constitutional Court’s decision of 16 July 2007, mentioned in the case of Ms Munira Mujkanović, concerns also the applicant’s son and husband.

In September 1998, at the applicant’s request, the competent court issued declarations of presumed death with respect to her son and husband.

On 15 May 2009 the applicant lodged an application for reparations on account of the disappearance of her son and husband under the War Damage Act 2005. On 4 October 2010 the Republika Srpska authorities held that the statutory time-limit had expired on 19 June 2001 and, accordingly, rejected the application. On 6 April 2011 the competent Ministry upheld the decision of 4 October 2010. The applicant did not pursue further remedies.

10. The case of Ms Sabiha Huskanović

In July 1992 the VRS forces arrested the applicant’s husband, Mr Zijad Huskanović, and placed him in Omarska internment camp. From there, he was first moved to Keraterm and then to Trnopolje internment camps.

On 21 August 1992 many internees from Trnopolje camp were killed at Korićanske stijene (for more details, see the facts in the case of Ms Munira Mujkanović above). It has not yet been established whether the applicant’s husband was among them. Furthermore, his mortal remains have not been identified. The applicant lodged a constitutional appeal in this connection; the Constitutional Court’s decision of 16 July 2007, mentioned in the case of Ms Munira Mujkanović, concerns also the applicant’s husband.

In February 1999, at the applicant’s request, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to her husband.

11. The case of Mr Nail Demirović, Mr Omer Demirović, Ms Munira Avdić, Mr Mufid Demirović and Ms Munira Dautović

The applicants’ relative, Mr Muradif Demirović, went missing in an area controlled by the VRS forces on or about 30 September 1992.

In September 2001, at the request of one of the applicants, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to Mr Muradif Demirović.

On 20 December 2006 the domestic Human Rights Commission found a breach of Articles 3 and 8 of the Convention and ordered the State and the Republika Srpska to conduct a full, meaningful, thorough and detailed investigation aimed at making known the fate or whereabouts of Mr Muradif Demirović. No compensation was awarded.

Mortal remains of Mr Muradif Demirović were returned to the family on 24 November 2009. It would appear that an investigation into his killing is still pending.

12. The case of Ms Lejla Fazlić, Ms Dženana Fazlić and Ms Fatima Selimović

In May 1992, after the VRS forces had taken over the town of Kozarac in the municipality of Prijedor, the father of the first two applicants and the husband at that time of the third applicant, Mr Nedžad Fazlić, fled to the woods. The applicants have later heard that he was captured by the VRS forces and taken to an unknown location.

In August 1999, at the request of one of the applicants, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to Mr Fazlić.

In 2006 the applicants lodged a constitutional appeal. The Constitutional Court’s decision of 16 July 2007, mentioned in the case of Ms Mujkanović, concerns also Mr Fazlić.

It would appear that Mr Fazlić is still missing. It would further appear that an investigation into his disappearance is still pending.

13. The case of Ms Ismeta Mahmuljin and Mr Muharem Mahmuljin

In May 1992, after the VRS forces had taken over the town of Kozarac in the municipality of Prijedor, the applicants’ son, Mr Edin Mahmuljin, fled to the woods. The applicants have later heard that he was captured by the VRS forces and taken to an unknown location.

In December 2002, at the request of one of the applicants, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to their son.

In 2006 the applicants lodged a constitutional appeal. The Constitutional Court’s decision of 16 July 2007, mentioned in the case of Ms Mujkanović, concerns also the applicants’ son.

It would appear that the applicants’ son is still missing. It would further appear that an investigation into his disappearance is still pending.

14. The case of Ms Mira Gojković

When the war started, the applicant’s husband, Mr Radomir Gojković, was in an area of Sarajevo controlled by the ARBH forces. On 12 May 1992 people in military uniforms took him from his flat to an unknown location; he has not been seen again.

On 13 September 2007 the Constitutional Court examined the applicant’s case and found a violation of Articles 3 and 8 of the Convention and the corresponding constitutional provisions. It ordered the authorities to release all information in their possession pertaining to the fate or whereabouts of the applicant’s husband and to ensure that the State agencies envisaged by the Missing Persons Act 2004 (namely, the Missing Persons Institute, the Central Records and the Missing Persons Fund) become operational. No compensation was awarded. On 27 March 2009 the Constitutional Court concluded that its decision in this case was to be considered enforced.

It would appear that the applicant’s husband is still missing. It would also appear that an investigation into his disappearance is still pending.

15. The case of Ms Refika Ališković

In July 1992, after having taken control of the village of Rakovćani in the municipality of Prijedor, the VRS forces arrested the applicant’s husband, Mr Esad Ališković. He was placed in Keraterm internment camp; he has not been seen again.

In October 1996, at the applicant’s request, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to her husband.

In 2006 the applicant lodged a constitutional appeal. The Constitutional Court’s decision of 16 July 2007, mentioned in the case of Ms Mujkanović, concerns also her husband.

On 25 May 2009 the applicant lodged an application for reparations on account of her husband’s disappearance under the War Damage Act 2005. On 4 October 2010 the Republika Srpska authorities held that the time-limit had expired on 19 June 2001 and, accordingly, rejected the application. On 15 October 2010 the applicant appealed; she has not received any response.

It would appear that the applicant’s husband is still missing. It would also appear that an investigation into his disappearance is still pending.

16. The case of Ms Mersija Hodžić and Ms Emira Biščević

In May 1992, after having taken control of the town of Kozarac in the municipality of Prijedor, the VRS forces arrested Mr Asmir Memić, the son of the first applicant and the brother of the second applicant; he has not been seen again.

In November 1998, at the request of one of the applicants, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to Mr Memić.

In 2006 the applicants lodged a constitutional appeal. The Constitutional Court’s decision of 16 July 2007, mentioned in the case of Ms Mujkanović, concerns also Mr Memić.

It would appear that Mr Memić is still missing. It would further appear that an investigation into his disappearance is still pending.

17. The case of Mr Edin Ramulić

In July 1992, after having taken control of the village of Rakovćani in the municipality of Prijedor, the VRS forces arrested the applicant’s brother, Mr Enes Ramulić. He most likely met his fate in Keraterm internment camp.

In June 1999, at the request of the applicant, the competent court issued a declaration of presumed death with respect to his brother.

In 2006 the applicant lodged a constitutional appeal. The Constitutional Court’s decision of 16 July 2007, mentioned in the case of Ms Mujkanović, concerns also his brother.

It would appear that the applicant’s brother is still missing. It would also appear that an investigation into his disappearance is still pending.

18. The case of Mr Radomir Stjepanović and Ms Rajka Stjepanović

During the war, the applicant’s son, Mr Davor Stjepanović, became a member of the VRS forces. On or about 4 July 1995, while taking part in a combat operation, he was captured by the ARBH forces; he has not been seen again.

On 13 May 2003 mortal remains of the applicants’ son were returned to the family.

On 15 December 2005 the domestic Human Rights Commission found a breach of Articles 3 and 8 of the Convention. It ordered the relevant local authorities to conduct a thorough and detailed investigation with a view to making known the fate or whereabouts of the applicants’ son and to release all information within their possession. No compensation was awarded. On 14 July 2008 the Constitutional Court held that the decision of the Human Rights Commission of 15 December 2005 had not yet been enforced and ordered the State and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to pay one of the applicants BAM 4,000 each for non-pecuniary damage. In September 2008 the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina paid the sum awarded by the Constitutional Court. It would appear that the State has not yet done so. On 25 October 2011 the Constitutional Court held again that the decision of 15 December 2005 had not yet been enforced. This decision was sent to the State Prosecutor (obstruction of enforcement of the decisions of the Human Rights Commission is a criminal offence).

It would appear that an investigation into the killing of the applicants’ son is still pending.

B. Relevant international and domestic law

The relevant international and domestic law have been set out in Palić v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, no. 4704/04, 15 February 2011.

COMPLAINTS

The applicants complain, on behalf of their missing relatives, that Bosnia and Herzegovina has failed to fulfil its procedural obligation to investigate their disappearance and death. This complaint falls to be examined under Articles 2 and 5 of the Convention. They further submit that the authorities have, for many years, refused to engage, acknowledge or assist in their efforts to find out what happened to their loved ones. This complaint falls to be examined under Article 3 of the Convention. Lastly, the applicants rely on Articles 6, 8, 13 or 14 of the Convention.

QUESTIONS TO THE PARTIES

1. Are the applications compatible with the provisions of the Convention ratione temporis given that the applicants’ relatives went missing before 12 July 2002 and have the applicants complied with the six-month time-limit laid down in Article 35 § 1 of the Convention?

2. Having regard to procedural obligations under Articles 2 and 5 of the Convention, has the investigation into the disappearance of the applicants’ relatives fulfilled those requirements (see Palić v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, no. 4704/04, §§ 63-71 and 79, 15 February 2011, and the authorities cited therein)?

3. Have the applicants themselves been subjected to treatment in breach of Article 3 of the Convention (see Palić, cited above, §§ 74-75)?

4. Has there been a breach of Articles 6, 8, 13 or 14 of the Convention?

5. The Government are requested to provide a copy of the criminal files concerning the disappearance of the applicants’ relatives.

Appendix

File No

Case Name

Date of lodging

1.

7175/06

ZUBAN v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

01/02/2006

2.

8710/06

HAMIDOVIĆ v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

13/02/2006

3.

31865/06

MURATSPAHIĆ v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

25/07/2006

4.

16503/08

ŽERAJIĆ v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

07/03/2008

5.

47063/08

MUJKANOVIĆ v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

23/09/2008

6.

47067/08

MEMIĆ v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

23/09/2008

7.

47091/08

ELEZOVIĆ Vehidin v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

23/09/2008

8.

47094/08

ELEZOVIĆ Muharem v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

23/09/2008

9.

47096/08

BAJRIC v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

23/09/2008

10.

47099/08

HUSKANOVIĆ v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

23/09/2008

11.

35732/09

DEMIROVIĆ and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

05/06/2009

12.

66758/09

FAZLIĆ and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

27/11/2009

13.

66762/09

MAHMULJIN v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

30/11/2009

14.

67588/09

GOJKOVIĆ v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

20/11/2009

15.

7965/10

ALIŠKOVIĆ v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

28/01/2010

16.

9149/10

HODŽIĆ and BIŠČEVIĆ v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

10/02/2010

17.

12451/10

RAMULIĆ v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

24/02/2010

18.

13207/12

STJEPANOVIĆ v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

14/02/2012

[1] Armija Republike Bosne i Hercegovine; local armed forces mostly made up of Bosniacs and loyal to the central authorities in Sarajevo; established on 15 April 1992.

[2] Vojska Republike Srpske; local armed forces mostly made up of Serbs; established on 12 May 1992.

[3] Under the General Framework Agreement for Peace, Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two Entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska. The Agreement did not resolve the Inter-Entity Boundary Line in the Brčko area, but the parties agreed to a binding arbitration in this regard under UNCITRAL rules. The Brčko District, under the exclusive sovereignty of the State and international supervision, was inaugurated on 8 March 2000.

[4] The convertible mark uses the same fixed exchange rate to the euro that the German mark has (1 euro = 1.95583 convertible marks).

[5] Zakon o nestalim osobama, Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina no. 50/04.

[6] Zakon o ostvarivanju prava na naknadu materijalne i nematerijalne štete nastale u periodu ratnih dejstava od 20. maja 1992. do 19. juna 1996. godine, Official Gazette of the Republika Srpska nos. 103/05, 1/09, 49/09 and 118/09.

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