X. CONCLUSION

On balance, the situation of the Chamber at the end of 1999 offers a mixed picture.

On the one hand, the Chamber certainly achieved a greater level of efficiency and a higher degree of credibility. On the other hand, however, there were no positive developments in the surrounding political and judicial context in which the Chamber operates. These factors obviously directly affect the Human Rights Chamber.

The national judiciary lacks credibility and it appears that the political will necessary to change that situation is also lacking. The long-awaited reform of the judiciary in Bosnia and Herzegovina has yet to happen, and the central governments of the Entities do not possess the requisite authority to prevail upon the local authorities to respect the rule of law.

The Chamber, whose initial mandate comes to an end on 31 December 2000, as established by the Dayton Peace Agreement, cannot but worry about its own legacy in the light of the country's political situation. On the other hand, its jurisprudence is now a reality which cannot be ignored and will clearly be one of the legal reference points that the country needs for its long-term stability and democratic development. The Chamber's work is the ultimate proof that in one form or another, an institution of this type will be necessary in Bosnia Herzegovina after December 2000.