Inzko: Presence of officials at Dodik's rally in East Sarajevo unacceptable!

(Patria) - Valentin Inzko, High Representative, commented on the presence of state-level officials at the rally held on February 20, 2020, in the Administrative Center of the RS Government in East Sarajevo, organized by Milorad Dodik.

"That rally was de facto about implementing the policy of Republika Srpska related to blocking decision-making processes in state institutions. Presence at that meeting is unacceptable, as it de facto shows readiness to participate in blocking decision-making in state-level institutions. It also seriously calls into question the professional, moral, and personal integrity of the participants and the perception of the independence of the institutions they represent. Heads of independent institutions are legally obliged to ensure the independence of these institutions from political influence and to refrain from any action that could jeopardize the institution they represent or its independence.

I would like to remind that state officials in BiH institutions who are elected and appointed from the territory of the entity are not representatives of the entity but of the state of BiH. In accordance with Annex 4 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH (Constitution of BiH), state institutions and state officials perform their duties in accordance with the Constitution of BiH and the decisions of BiH institutions, not entities. I would reiterate once again that state officials who attended the rally held on February 20, 2020, in East Sarajevo, as well as all other state officials, have a responsibility to strictly respect the Constitution of BiH and the law, and are obliged to ensure the full and unimpeded functioning of state institutions, including a swift decision-making process," Inzko stated.