Jukić: I did not break the law – if anyone has doubts, let them investigate me!

Director of the Agency for Statistics, Velimir Jukić, made a decision on a unique program for processing census data in BiH, which provoked strong reactions in Republika Srpska. The SNSD caucus requested a parliamentary discussion. There were serious accusations that the law was violated.

According to the decision on the methodology of data processing, 196,000 disputed units will be treated as resident citizens, which greatly aggravated the representatives of RS. Jukić's deputy, Miljan Popić, also disagreed with the decision. Jukić, however, is certain about his decision.

- I did not break the law. The decision on the adoption of a unique methodology for data processing for the 2013 Census is entirely based on the law, he said.

- One of the standards we must adhere to is to remain independent. That is our obligation, and we must abide by the Law on Statistics. I have acted in accordance with the law, and that is the only truth. That is my response to accusations and insinuations that someone has done this or that. What the program contains is entirely related to the implementation by the team, and I believe that one must respect their knowledge and good intentions towards everyone in BiH, said Jukić.

During the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, suggestions were heard that the Prosecutor's Office should investigate the leak of information. Jukić commented that 'as far as I am aware, no one from the statistics institutions has ever misused any census-related data'.

- That's what some people say when they speculate. If anyone has accessed data by breaking the law, that should be investigated, and I support that, Jukić added.

Otherwise, the 5th urgent session of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly started today. One of its first conclusions is that the Council of Ministers is to submit information about the 2013 census within 10 days.

The Council of Ministers of BiH is requested to submit this information in relation to the agenda item of the 5th urgent session of the Parliamentary Assembly, which reads as follows: Information from the Council of Ministers of BiH on the Decision on the adoption of a unique program for processing data on citizens, households, and apartments in BiH in 2013, made by the Director of the Agency for Statistics, Velimir Jukić.