Schmidt imposed amendments to the BiH Election Law!

(Patria) - High Representative Christian Schmidt used his Bonn powers and today imposed amendments to the BiH Election Law concerning the integrity of the electoral process.

This information was announced at a press conference in Sarajevo, emphasizing that he did today what should have been done many years ago, and what is self-evident in a democracy.

And that is, as he said, a guarantee of free, fair, and democratic elections for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I am doing this for the citizens

- I want to announce my decision to enact amendments to the BiH Election Law, in accordance with my mandate and Annex 3 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, as support for BiH's announced accession process to the European Union, which includes 14 EU priorities, one of which is this. I am doing this for the citizens of this country.

I am very happy that we have a decision from the European Council that outlines the path to the EU for BiH. The slogan is "You are ready for Europe and Europe is ready for you." I think we should act in that direction. Everyone has the right to say - our elected representatives should act. They have done a lot of work, we know that a large number of laws have been passed, but unfortunately, no agreement has been reached on the Election Law - Schmidt added.

As he said, the integrity package was agreed upon in Neum in a way, as well as some other packages. However, there was no response to the shortcomings in the electoral process observed by the OSCE, the Council of Europe, and some other international institutions.

- Today, I am not addressing political parties and politicians, but the citizens, the voters of this country. Because, those who are supposed to go to the polls and vote are precisely the citizens of this country, regardless of their national or other affiliation.

Therefore, I want to emphasize that I am addressing people in both entities and the Brčko District. There is no discrimination here, and it will not be possible if we stand together - Schmidt said.

He emphasizes that he, as the High Representative, is the guarantor of the existence of both Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, and that this is his duty in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement.

- We must work for all citizens, and I think we can do that. These are very clear international guidelines. I think there should be enough opportunities for domestic responsible bodies to get involved in this and to achieve an appropriate balance in the interest of the voters - Schmidt underlined.

He also says that voters cannot wait 10-15 years or more to see if an agreement will be reached between the parties. We must move forward.

- Believe me, I would be happier if we could find a way for the responsible parties or authorities and parliament to agree on amendments to the Election Law. People must be sure that their vote will be counted correctly - he stressed.

He adds that he has the impression that some people think that by going the path towards the EU, they can somehow free themselves from the international community. Schmidt told such people that he must disappoint them.

However, domestic solutions are the best

- One day, when BiH is a full member of the EU and when the EU is in BiH, my position will be a thing of the past. Only then will many things be resolved and my mandate will be fulfilled.

However, as we talk about international judges these days, I must say that we should also look at European agreements that exist. For example, Article 260 of the European Agreement on Labor of the EU states that if you, on a national basis, do not meet the conditions set by European standards, the European Court in Luxembourg will act and issue very strict orders.

And I can tell you that this applies to all member states, including the country I represent - Germany. International judges will remain. This is part of our joint efforts to establish cooperation - Schmidt says.

He noted that elections are held in the interest of the people, and that care must be taken to ensure that they are organized and conducted properly.

- To be honest, I regret that I have to do this. My position is that domestic solutions are the best. I am now enacting this integrity package and, in a way, I am substituting for the decision of local communities. I am making BiH capable of moving towards European integration - the High Representative said.

To anyone who does not want to accept the foundations of a democratic society, he said that they are thus depriving the people of this country of their future and the chance to become part of the EU.

- Therefore, I think we are now creating a contract with the citizens, and I must contribute to it, because that is my duty. I tell the citizens of BiH to seize the opportunity, to go out and vote.

Do not let anyone block your path to the future. All proposals that have been collected over the years from the OSCE and others should be put into one package, and we will ensure that it becomes part of the legislation we talked about in December.

This is not Schmidt's law, this is the law of the voters in Bosnia and Herzegovina - said the High Representative in his address at the press conference in Sarajevo.

Ban on candidacy for war criminals

Schmidt also recalled his speech in Srebrenica last year, and thus the promises he made to victim associations - that he would ban candidates convicted of war crimes and genocide.

According to him, the possibility for people convicted of war crimes or genocide at The Hague or before domestic courts to run for public office cannot contribute to healing the wounds in BiH society.

- I promised this on July 11 last year in Srebrenica. This is something for new generations. The key to everything is that young people want to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Schmidt concluded.

The amendments to the BiH Election Law imposed by Schmidt today come into effect upon their publication on the website of the Office of the High Representative (OHR).