Case Explained: Debate on New Law for Confiscation and Management of Proceeds of Crime Advances in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Legal Perspective

Debate on New Law for Confiscation and Management of Proceeds of Crime Advances in
Bosnia and Herzegovina

18-19 February 2025, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina – UNODC supported a meeting of the Working Group for the preparation of the draft Law on Confiscation and Management of Proceeds of Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), within the project “Strengthening the capacity and coordination of judiciary and law enforcement authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to effectively address corruption and organized crime”, funded by the Italian Development Cooperation.

The BiH Ministry of Justice is leading the work to prepare this crucial piece of legislation to combat serious crime and strengthen justice and security in the country, in line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and relevant European Union Directives.

The new law is expected to regulate asset seizure based on BiH State Court rulings and establish a framework for managing confiscated assets, including their possible social reuse.

During the Working Group meeting, representatives from various ministries, judicial and law enforcement bodies, asset management agencies and other stakeholders discussed the draft law, suggesting optimal modalities for the execution of asset forfeiture at State level.

Together with other international partners, such as the Office of the High Representative, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Delegation of the European Union to BiH, UNODC has been supporting this process.

UNODC’s engagement on the new law is part of a broader effort to enhance implementation of the BiH Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2029 and the BiH Strategy for Countering Organized Crime 2023-2026, developed with advisory support from UNODC and generous funding from the Government of the United Kingdom.

UNODC supported the Working Group meeting within the framework of its technical assistance project to tackle corruption and organized crime in BiH, implemented with generous funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

UNODC continues to promote implementation of international standards in the fight against corruption and organized crime through its Regional Programme for South-Eastern Europe, as well as the Regional Platform for Fast-Tracking the UN Convention against Corruption and the related Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap, endorsed by all jurisdictions in the region.