SDA Reacts to HJPC Decisions: Can a Headscarf Be a Religious Symbol Subject to Bans?

In connection with the recent decisions of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina  (HJPC BiH) on banning the wearing of religious symbols by judges and prosecutors, i.e., holders of judicial functions, the SDA has issued a press release, which the Patria news agency transmits in its entirety.

 The HJPC BiH has, without a clearly visible reason, embarked on a sensitive issue of restricting religious freedoms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, although this issue is guaranteed by the Constitution of BiH, Art. II para. 1 and Art. II/4, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, as well as the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination.

 The HJPC BiH is introducing this issue into state bodies through the back door, through conclusions and codes, and not through law and parliamentary debate, thus narrowing the transparency of its work.

 The manner in which the HJPC BiH regulates this issue is vague, leaving room for manipulation. Can the headscarf for Muslim women, which is embedded both in the tradition of this people and in religious obligation, be a religious symbol subject to bans? This reminds us of times we are reluctant to recall. It would be very interesting to see a list of religious symbols subject to bans, which the HJPC BiH would offer us.

 In this way, the HJPC BiH has exceeded its authority and disturbed the public; therefore, we demand that it annul the aforementioned conclusion, and that the issue of restricting religious freedoms and banning the wearing of religious symbols be considered through parliamentary procedure, public debate, and possible amendments to the law in this area, the SDA statement reads.