Schmidt calls on authorities to ensure uninterrupted work of the Constitutional Court of BiH

(Patria) - Following recent public discussions about vacant positions in the Constitutional Court of BiH, as well as the regrettable early retirement of the Vice President of the Court, Judge Zlatko Knežević, High Representative Christian Schmidt wishes to remind decision-makers at all levels of their obligation to ensure the uninterrupted work of the Constitutional Court of BiH at full capacity, in accordance with the Constitution of BiH and the Dayton Peace Agreement.

Decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH are final and binding and must therefore be implemented by all authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Furthermore, no court or individual judge, regardless of whether someone is satisfied with their decisions or not, may be subjected to pressure that jeopardizes their independence.

Judges are appointed for a full term and enjoy security of tenure. The basis for their decisions is the Constitution and the law. Any forced shortening of the time they serve in office is fundamentally contrary to democratic and international
standards on judicial independence.

An independent and impartial judicial system is a fundamental guarantee of the rule of law and democracy in any country. No institution or individual may attempt or be allowed to exert influence or in any way undermine the authority of any court in BiH or any judicial official, concluded the High Representative.