European Commission puts rule of law in BiH under the microscope

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The rule of law is key to the enlargement process and is at the centre of the ongoing preparation of the European Commission's Opinion on BiH's EU membership application. In this context, the European Commission today launches a new initiative to monitor the entire rule of law system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from law enforcement agencies to courts. The initiative will focus on monitoring and assessing the effective implementation of reforms in the area of the rule of law and strengthening accountability in the rule of law chain in BiH, with full respect for the independence of the judiciary.

The initiative starts in April and will last until the end of November 2019. Mr. Reinhard Priebe, former Director at the European Commission and an experienced expert in the field of the rule of law, will lead this initiative and provide the Commission, the authorities in BiH and the public with his opinion and recommendations regarding the rule of law in BiH. Mr. Priebe is in BiH this week to gather facts and will meet with relevant representatives of the authorities and judicial institutions, including law enforcement agencies at the state, entity and Sarajevo Canton levels.

He will also meet with representatives of EU member states and the international community, as well as representatives of civil society. With the participation of several experts, activities will follow aimed at
monitoring trials, implementing previous EU recommendations on combating serious forms of crime, and a new peer review mission with law enforcement agencies.
The Rule of Law Initiative will conclude with a comprehensive „Rule of Law Convention“, planned to bring together institutions from all levels of government, civil society and the academic
community from all parts of the country in the autumn.

Afterwards, Priebe's report and recommendations will be presented and will be the subject of discussion at the meeting of the Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement at the end of 2019.