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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Aim of Ministry of Justice independent, efficient and fair judiciary

Belgrade, 14 September 2007

Serbian Minister of Justice Dusan Petrovic said today that the Ministry is doing a survey on the situation in the judiciary and efficiency and quality of work of courts, in order to determine the number of judges and courts needed in Serbia.

Dusan Petrovic

Speaking at a press conference held at the Serbian government on the occasion of the first 100 days of the Ministry's work, Petrovic said that currently there are 2,400 judges in Serbia and 100 vacancies, but that this number will probably be reduced. The Minister said that the new Constitution and constitutional law prescribe the establishment of the supreme court of cassation, courts of appeal and commercial courts. He said that the aim of the Ministry of Justice is to make the judiciary independent, efficient and fair. Petrovic added that a public discussion will be opened on elaboration of instruments for evaluation of the work of judges, with the aim of establishing transparent mechanisms for their election, promotion, disciplinary procedure and dismissal. Petrovic confirmed that the Ministry has worked out a draft law on the constitutional court which should be adopted by the Serbian government next week, as well as the draft law on protection of personal data, which is one of conditions for liberalisation of the visa regime.

The Minister of Justice voiced hope that by the end of the year, parliament will adopt a law on confiscating property acquired by illegal means, organised crime and war crimes.

Petrovic said that it is important that organised crime is tackled decisively which will be possible with mechanisms to take away property gained by means of organised crime.

The Justice Minister asked for data on the number of outdated court cases since 2002 to date and will receive them by the end of September.

Petrovic said that the Ministry launched a procedure for signing the Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Perpetrators of such crimes must be strongly punished and these cases must not become outdated as it is a disgrace for the state, the Minister said.

Director of the Directorate for Enforcement of Penalties of the Serbian Ministry of Justice Sasa Vukadinovic said that there are 8,500 persons in jail whereas the capacity of jails is 6,000 persons.

He announced the construction of five new prisons with a capacity for 2,000 persons which will be built in the next five years worth €40 million.