Katica on changing the Rulebook for water cannon use: Everything is in line with European regulations

(Patria) - Minister of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton Admir Katica has been in the public spotlight in recent days. Citizens are dissatisfied with the security situation, and demands for his resignation can be heard. An emergency session of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly on the security situation has been scheduled after a series of events that have disturbed the public, and it will be held on March 29.

When asked how he assesses the security situation in Sarajevo Canton and whether he supports holding an emergency session of the Canton Assembly to discuss this topic, Katica told Patria that "for us, the most important information always comes from citizens, and we understand their concern, given that certain events that cause insecurity have occurred in a relatively short period, and we must respect that."

"At the same time, there are data from the Police Administration that show significant progress in the fight against crime, a reduction in serious thefts, robberies, and juvenile delinquency. Statistics are not more important to us than citizens' opinions, but they are our tool by which we adapt our work to the problems we have on the ground.

Regarding the emergency session, I support every constructive discussion and exchange of views that will contribute to adopting even better solutions in the interest of our citizens. Therefore, in addition to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, all other societal factors that influence the overall security situation should attend the emergency session of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton will submit a complete report on the actions taken in the area of reducing crime, strengthening police capacities, field operations, strengthening material and technical resources, as well as on the conclusions of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly realized so far," said Minister Katica.

Katica stated that the report he will present at the emergency session of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly will summarize everything he has undertaken as minister since the beginning of his term.

"And which will be an indicator of the major changes we have initiated in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton and the projects we have started – some of them after years of inaction in the area of strengthening the police, ensuring better working conditions for the police, procuring new equipment and material-technical resources, strengthening infrastructure, and more. My job is to finish what I started, and I do not shy away from problems. We have made promises to the citizens, and we will fulfill them," Katica states.

Recently, at the proposal of Police Commissioner Fatmir Hajdarević, Minister Katica changed the Rulebook on the use and procedure of using and justifying force, which relates to the application of the water cannon, and now it can be used without chemical agents and dyes, but also with, for example, tear gas, which was not the practice before.

When asked if he considers such use of the water cannon justified, and whether European countries' legislation was consulted before the amendment, and if there are any legal obstacles regarding human rights or endangering people's health with chemical agents, Minister Katica answers:

"The use of the water cannon is regulated in the same way as in European Union countries, and their regulations, as well as OSCE guidelines, were consulted. Regarding the use of chemical agents, European regulations and the regulations of Great Britain on the types of chemical agents that can be used for these purposes were also consulted. Everything related to the use of the water cannon is in line with the regulations of EU countries, both in terms of the method of use and the type of chemical agents," stated Katica.