Čavara Speaks Out: State of Emergency is Provided for by the Constitution and Laws - We Just Need to Implement Them

(Patria) - Due to the state of emergency caused by the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and facing many challenges, non-compliance with orders from competent authorities, and attempts at politicking by some officials, the President of the Federation of BiH, Marinko Čavara, issued a press release.

“I have previously called on all officeholders in the Federation of BiH to exercise maximum responsibility in performing their duties, because in situations like these, the functioning of the state system without any deviations, politicking, and acting or making decisions outside of one’s jurisdiction is most important. This state of emergency is provided for by the Constitution and laws, and we just need to implement them. I am asking the leadership of both houses of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH to ensure sessions of the houses, if necessary, while respecting the guidelines for preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

I am asking the Government of the Federation of BiH, in its constitutional role as the head of the executive branch, to exercise its competencies and that in this situation, there is no constitutional possibility or any other reason for it to assume the role of the legislator. I am asking the Government of the Federation of BiH to maximally dedicate itself to protecting the health of every resident of the Federation of BiH. Also, I call on all officeholders to behave with maximum responsibility so that all forces are directed towards fighting for the health and lives of every resident, and not to open new crises by violating laws and the Constitution.

I am again asking every resident, RESPECT THE MEASURES OF THE CRISIS HEADQUARTERS AND THE INSTRUCTIONS OF HEALTH WORKERS AND INSTITUTIONS,” the statement reads.