Bišćević-Tokić: Nikšić's Law Opens the Door to Unconstitutional Disposal of State Land

(Patria) - Tomorrow's session of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina will again consider the Draft Law on Construction Land, as established by the Federal Government.

SDA representative in the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jasmina Bišćević-Tokić, warns that this legislative proposal continues to undermine the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Unfortunately, the submitted text of the Law shows that Prime Minister Nikšić and the Federal Government are not abandoning proposals that violate the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on state property.

What did we propose?
Together with my colleague Adnan Efendić, I submitted amendments aimed at:
• Clearly and precisely regulating the management of construction land;
• Enabling local communities to dispose of land in a constitutional and lawful manner;
• Defining that state land cannot be treated as construction land, nor can it be disposed of without the opinion of the State Attorney's Office.

What did the federal government do?
• It rejected the amendment that does not limit the disposal of construction land, but only requires respect for the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Prime Minister Nikšić claims that land can be disposed of exclusively in accordance with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but his actions say otherwise!

Why can't we trust him?
• Forest land in Vareš was allocated in an unconstitutional manner, while the public was misled with claims that 'everything is according to the law';
• The rejected amendments do not prohibit the disposal of land, but only ensure legally correct procedures.

What does this mean for local communities?
• This law opens the door to legal uncertainty and abuses;
• It creates the possibility of disposing of state land without respecting constitutional decisions;
• The government is practically legalizing controversial practices such as the disposal of land on Jahorina, in Vareš, and in Mostar.

It is clear that Prime Minister Nikšić does not want to stop this practice, but wants to legalize it through this law. I do not accept that! I will continue to fight for the protection of local communities and respect for the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Bišćević-Tokić stated in a post on her Facebook profile.