Academician Duraković: Political obstruction by the Ministry of Justice of BiH

(Patria) - N1 is still without an answer from the state Minister of Justice and the competent Ministry as to why they have not implemented the final decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH, which mandated the registration of the state Academy of Sciences and Arts in the register of legal entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

While awaiting the next steps of the Academy's representatives, which we learn will follow this week, we sought a reaction from one of the members of ANUBiH, academician Esad Duraković.

Academician Duraković emphasized to N1 that he is not speaking about the non-implementation of the Constitutional Court of BiH's ruling on behalf of ANUBiH, as he does not have the authority to do so, but only as an "ordinary" member of the Academy and as a person who is very interested in the legal status of this most important scientific institution in any country.

"According to the Dayton Peace Agreement, ANUBiH continues to exist until a different decision is possibly made about it. Therefore, the status of ANUBiH is legitimate, but the line ministry refuses to register ANUBiH in the register of legal entities, which greatly complicates administrative and managerial tasks related to the normal functioning of such an important institution. It is evident that political bureaucrats and enemies of all the most important symbols of BiH's statehood are trying to make life difficult for ANUBiH. This is why a number of other academies of sciences and arts are being founded in BiH, at a 'lower level,' as essential factors of its fragmentation," emphasized academician Duraković.

The academician emphasizes that three months have passed (as the final legal deadline) for the Ministry to implement the Constitutional Court's ruling in favor of ANUBiH and for this institution to be entered into the Register of Legal Entities.

Academician Duraković further points out: "It is clear to everyone here that this is political obstruction by the Ministry, as it thwarts one of the key institutions of the state, a symbol of statehood – as I said. However, it remains unclear what kind of country it is where its absolute highest legal instances – the rulings of the Constitutional Court – are not respected! This is truly shocking. It also remains strange why the High Representative, who is in the position of protector here, does not impose the implementation of the Constitutional Court's rulings, including this one, but instead adds another fundamental failure to his 'account'."

The decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH clearly states that the "rejection of the request of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina for registration in the Register of Legal Entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, maintained by the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is contrary to the democratic principle of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the principle of continuity of legal regulations of Annex II of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.".

"It is also strange – and there is no end to wonders in this country! – how the Ministry, which should be a role model in respecting legality and lawfulness, can be so institutionally arrogant as not to recognize what has been recognized by both the Dayton Peace Agreement and the Constitutional Court of this country. This is another act of unbelievable political arrogance," concludes the full member of ANUBiH, Esad Duraković, for N1.