Sarajevo, 13 July 2012
The ICTY’s Outreach office in Sarajevo today opened its doors to 14 American students who are spending the summer in the Bosnian capital as a part of Denver University’s ‘Bosnia and Herzegovina 2012’ project. The students have travelled to Europe in order to ‘live and breathe the Balkans’, in a programme that combines academic study and practical work.
The students – who come from various areas of study, including law, social work and human rights – were keen to learn more about the Tribunal and its role in punishing those responsible for the crimes committed during the conflict in BiH.
ICTY representative Almir Alić spoke about Tribunal’s outreach activities and how they contribute to dealing with the past in the region. The group also met with representatives of the Office of the Prosecutor and the Victims and Witnesses Section who talked about their work.
The young people clearly appreciated the importance of ICTY's outreach work for local communities, and wanted to know whether the programme will continue to function after the Tribunal ceases to exist.
Project director, Professor Ann Petrila, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity given to her students to further their understanding of the legacy of the Tribunal and its contribution to the process of facing the past and reconciliation in the region.