|
The nearly four years of war in Bosnia and Herzegovina marked
the worst fighting on European soil since World War II. From 1992
to 1995, the tiny former Yugoslav republic was torn asunder. Roads,
bridges and apartment buildings were shattered. Water, heat and
electricity became sporadic at best, frequently leaving the city
without such necessities for days or even weeks at a time. In
cities like Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital, conducting routine
chores like going to the marketplace oftentimes proved life threatening,
due to incoming mortar shells, snipers, or land mines. For Bosnian
attorneys, judges, professors and law students, the elements of
a legal infrastructure were shattered by this war. Law libraries,
law books, and legal records were destroyed, and many legal institutions
ceased to function. Similarly, Bosnian journalists, broadcasters,
and newspaper publishers faced daunting challenges in the absence
of printing presses and telecommunications services.
While the Dayton Accords and an international military presence
ended the fighting in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a strong and lasting
peace may prove elusive unless the rule of law is restored. The
rule of law and a civil society will significantly enhance Bosnia's
long-term prospects for peace. The former requires functioning
legal institutions that are perceived as legitimate. To be perceived
as legitimate, legal institutions must be able to exchange and
disseminate information. The Internet is the most efficient and
inexpensive way to fulfill these objectives.
The underlying philosophy of Project Bosnia is that Internet
technology can help rebuild Bosnian law libraries, the court system
and legislative processes, as well as provide the means for Bosnian
journalists and other members of the press and media to assure
the freedom of information by practically replacing the mortar,
bricks, paper and printing presses with virtual legal infrastructure,
news boards and web-forums. The implementation of Internet-based
legal and media infrastructures will allow immediate and unencumbered
access to the court rulings, criminal cases, newly drafted laws,
news, judicial opinions and other pertinent information. Law students,
professors and journalists will be able to exchange views and
publish their work through e-mail exchanges, news groups and Web-based
discussion forums. It will afford a free information exchange
among members of Bosnian judicial, legal and media communities,
as well uncensored communication with their international colleagues.
|
