NEW GOVERNMENT, OLD PRACTICE: Loyalists, Not Best Candidates, Wanted at the Head of Police Agencies

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The foreshadowing of the annulment of conducted tender procedures in BiH police structures is not a surprise to anyone who even cursorily follows developments in the political sphere of our daily lives. Such a variant is even more acceptable when the outgoing government, due to its incompetence, fails to complete the procedures and leaves the highest-ranked candidates in a regularly conducted tender procedure in the lurch. Even the new political agreement on national or ethnic distribution of positions within police structures, despite the permanent and flagrant violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of potential candidates, however bleak it may sound, does not represent a particular exception in our political conduct, according to a statement from the Center for Security Studies.

"What truly worries and irritates citizens, despite the announced and proclaimed new political paradigms, is the public bidding by certain political parties to appoint their cadres to positions such as the director of the Service for Foreigners' Affairs. Without any hesitation, it is stated that the alleged SDS cadre will be replaced and a probably loyal director, this time an SNSD cadre, will be appointed in his place. The complete disregard for democratic principles and the role and jurisdiction of the Independent Board of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, which is, among other things, responsible for conducting the selection and nomination procedure for leaders of BiH police bodies, represents a gross violation and mockery of the fundamental principles of the rule of law. At the same time, it is a belittling of the legitimate will of the legislative authority within which this independent and professional body, established in 2008 during the last reform of police structures in BiH, operates and is accountable," the statement reads.

They add that "without absolving all previous governments of similar practices, albeit with slightly more refined manners and without expressing similar views in public, the new government has nevertheless committed to acting and working in the interest of the citizens."

"Citizens of this country finally deserve the best that can currently be offered to lead agencies responsible for protecting their lives and property. The test for the new government regarding the practical implementation of election promises to select credible and professional, not compliant, candidates is approaching. The public will certainly pass its judgment based on their deeds and actions, not rhetoric," CSS concludes.