Slovenian international law expert: Revision of the verdict could stabilise relations between BiH and Serbia

It should be known today whether BiH will file a revision of the International Court of Justice verdict in the case of BiH's lawsuit against Serbia, after the consultation scheduled for 3 PM in the Council Hall concludes, Patria reports.

The organisers are the Foundation "Justice for Bosnia and Herzegovina" and the Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law, under the patronage of the Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency, Bakir Izetbegović.

This consultation will be attended by a large number of legal experts, officials from BiH institutions and non-governmental organisations, and only people who have received an invitation will be able to enter the Council Hall.

The deadline for submitting a request for revision is 26 February.

The announcement that Bosnia and Herzegovina could file a request for revision of the verdict has strained political relations not only between the two countries but also within Bosnia and Herzegovina itself. Politicians from the BiH entity of Republika Srpska have announced that, in the event of a request for revision, they could withdraw from the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily from the BiH Parliament.

Professor of international law from Slovenia, Dr. Ernest Petrič, told the news agency Patria that the announcement of the revision of the verdict in the case of BiH's lawsuit against Serbia has become overly politicised. He believes there is no need for tensions. He considers courts to be the best way to resolve certain issues, if the parties cannot reach an agreement outside of court.

- I do not know this case deeply enough, but observing from the sidelines, I can say there is no need for tensions – says Professor Petrič. He further explains:

- As an international lawyer, I view these things in the sense that if some parties want to solve a problem, then the law is there to be used. It is a completely civilised way. In the end, someone will win, someone will lose, or a solution will be found that suits both sides, or no one... But, in any case, I do not see the need to politicise things.

I do not know what the chances are that the request for revision will succeed in this specific case, or that it will not, but in any case, if someone believes that a court decision was made based on insufficient evidence, and there is a possibility of revision, they have the legal right to request a revision.

Finally, Professor Petrič believes that a court decision in the case of the revision of BiH's lawsuit against Serbia could, after so many years, also lead to a calming of tensions between the two countries, Patria reports.