“Transitional Justice in Serbia’s EU Accession Process”: presentation of the analysis of the compliance with the EU acquis communautaire within Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, in the areas of war crimes and fundamental rights.

“Transitional Justice in Serbia’s EU Accession Process” analysis shows policies and financial instruments used by the EU to recommend and advocate for the justice for crimes in the past, the EU regulations containing principles of transitional justice that the acceding countries have to comply with prior to the EU accession, the current compliance of the Republic of Serbia’s legislation with these regulations, and recommendations for further harmonization.

Bearing in mind that to build a stable democracy in a country which in the recent past participated in an armed conflict depends on that country’s willingness to face its responsibility for those crimes, we believe that the process of democratic reforms brought about by EU accession negotiations cannot be fully successful unless the issue of the grave legacy of the wars is given adequate attention. That is the reason why HLC has undertaken various activities through which it seeks to promote dealing with past crimes in the context of the European integration process. We consider the forthcoming EU accession process provides a unique opportunity for putting accountability for war crimes onto the agenda and incorporating transitional justice standards into the legal and institutional framework of the Republic of Serbia.

Analysis Transitional Justice in Serbia’s EU Accession Process download here.