CAT/C/SRB/CO/1 page 5 (c) Comply with the Committee’s Views under article 22 where it requests for further investigations in respect of individual communications and provide information to this effect in its next periodic report. Cooperation with the ICTY 11. The Committee welcomes the steps taken to enhance cooperation and progress made with regard to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) as well as the establishment of witness protection programmes but it expresses concern over the uncertain future of the cases after the scheduled closure of the ICTY as well as for the safety of those who have or are in the process of providing evidence (art. 12). The State party should ensure that: (a) Full cooperation is extended to ICTY, including through apprehending and transferring those persons who have been indicted and remain at large, as well as granting the Tribunal full access to requested documents and potential witnesses; (b) All persons, including senior police officials, military personnel, and political officials, suspected of complicity in and perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity, are brought to justice in adequate penal proceedings, including after the scheduled closure of the ICTY tribunal; and (c) Witnesses are effectively protected throughout all stages of the proceedings and afterwards. Other war crimes investigations 12. The Committee regrets the lack of explanation by the State party about the outcomes of the investigations into the “Ovcara case” (November 1991), and particularly the role of the Supreme Court in 2006 in quashing the first court’s decision, and is concerned at the lack of information provided about the reasons for ordering a re-trial (art. 12). The State party should provide the Committee with information about the outcomes of the investigation into the “Ovcara case” (November 1991) and the reasons for ordering a retrial in 2006. Human rights defenders 13. The Committee expresses concern about the hostile environment for human rights defenders, particularly those working on transitional justice and minority rights and the lack of fair trials on cases filed against human rights defenders for alleged political reasons (art. 16). The State party should take concrete steps to give legitimate recognition to human rights defenders and their work, and ensure that when cases are brought