Political Interests Placed Above Law Enforcement, Pressure on Judiciary Reaches Peak

Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH) strongly condemns the pressure on the judiciary, which has reached a peak in recent days with statements from holders of the highest state functions, directly attempting to influence the decisions and work of the judiciary and creating an atmosphere of legal uncertainty, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Particularly concerning are the statements of members of the Presidency of BiH, in which they condemn judicial institutions, call for them to change their decisions, and accuse them of disrupting the ruling coalition. In this way, holders of the highest state functions step outside the framework of their competencies, taking prosecutorial and judicial prerogatives into their own hands.

TI BiH raises the question of how government representatives can speak about the rule of law if inter-party and coalition relations are placed above the enforcement of laws, and they directly tell citizens that legal procedures are not equal for all. This further deepens citizens' distrust in the work of the judiciary, guided by personal and party interests, and legitimizes interference in the work of the judiciary.

In a democratic country where the principle of the rule of law exists, it is absolutely unacceptable for holders of state functions to use their position and power to exert undue influence on the work of judicial institutions. Ultimately, such behavior constitutes a criminal offense.

TI BiH appeals for judicial institutions to be provided with space for unimpeded operation in accordance with the law, regardless of against whom proceedings are conducted. Otherwise, legitimacy will be given to anyone in the future to question the decisions of the judiciary and discredit its work, which is very dangerous for the functioning of the entire constitutional order.

TI BiH also calls on representatives of international missions in the country to support the work of judicial institutions and to unequivocally distance themselves from individuals within their own ranks who have been publicly linked to possible illegalities and have publicly supported political pressure on judicial institutions.