Strasbourg (Fena) – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a Resolution on Bosnia and Herzegovina within the framework of the procedure for monitoring the obligations undertaken by membership in the Council of Europe, confirming its support for the country’s sovereignty, constitutional order and territorial integrity.
In the Resolution, PACE expresses concern about attacks on the state, the rule of law and the institutions established by the Dayton Peace Agreement, but notes that some recent decisions have reduced part of the political tensions.
PACE points out that the amendments to the electoral legislation from March 2024 are being gradually implemented and should align BiH’s electoral framework with European standards and the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR, GRECO and the Venice Commission, with an emphasis on the representation of the three constituent peoples and “Others”.
The Resolution welcomes the decision of the authorities of Republika Srpska to annul the laws that the Constitutional Court of BiH declared unconstitutional, including a separate RS electoral law and laws on state property, and calls for the urgent appointment of the remaining judges of the Constitutional Court of BiH so that it can function fully.
PACE again underlines the need for constitutional reform, welcomes the formation of a working group for amendments to the Constitution and the Election Law, and calls on political parties to reach an agreement in order to bring them into line with the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Resolution calls on political actors in BiH to strengthen the functionality of state institutions, ensure the effective participation of all constituent peoples in accordance with the Dayton Agreement, and find a sustainable solution to the issue of state property.
The Presidency of BiH is called upon to complete without delay the procedure for selecting a judge of the European Court of Human Rights and to submit to PACE a list of three qualified candidates, while the authorities of BiH are encouraged to continue cooperation with the Council of Europe, especially with the Venice Commission. (27.1.)
