EU Delegation on Political Division of Police Agencies and OSA: Source of Great Concern Regarding Professionalism

(Patria) - The new state government, which is expected to be confirmed next week, has already agreed on the distribution of some key positions in the security sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina at one of the coalition parties' meetings.

These are three state police agencies and the Intelligence-Security Agency. Political leaders have very precisely informed the public about what each party received. Thus, SIPA went to SNSD, where the director is already close to that party, Darko Ćulum, the BiH Border Police remains with HDZ, where the second term of director Zoran Galić, a regular participant in HDZ political family gatherings, has expired, and the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies went to parties gathered around SDP and NIP, which is why the completed tenders for six leadership positions in the three agencies, or at least a part of them, are being annulled.

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When it comes to OSA, the "eight parties" coalition received the director position, while the deputy position is reserved for SNSD.

Some names for the director of OSA have already been speculated about in public, even though they hold very important positions requiring political neutrality. In this way, they have been politically labeled, which can affect their professional dignity and independence from politics.

The EU Delegation also expressed a clear stance on political influence on public office holders, responding to a question about whether political intervention in important positions within police and intelligence agencies is acceptable in a country with EU candidate status.

"Strengthening the rule of law is the backbone of Bosnia and Herzegovina's European integration process. Public office holders have a responsibility to act in the public interest and as such should adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

However, political influence remains a source of great concern regarding professionalism and accountability in public institutions," the EU Delegation stated in their response to Patria.