House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament Session: Several Legal Solutions on the Agenda

(Patria) - The House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina will today consider the Proposal for a Conclusion of the Commission for Gender Equality, which enables mothers the right to a companion of their own choice throughout the entire duration of childbirth.

The organization "Glas žene" (Woman's Voice) from Bihać submitted an initiative to the Parliament of the Federation of BiH on May 24, and as stated by the organization, its adoption would contribute to safer childbirth in all healthcare institutions in the Federation.

On the agenda of the session is also the Bill on Amendments to the Law on Fire Protection and Firefighting, which repeals articles of the law that, according to the decisions of the Constitutional Court of the FBiH, violated the right to local self-government. This proposal was previously adopted by the House of Representatives at a session held on July 23.

Delegates will also consider the Bill on the Procedure for Transferring Ownership of Real Estate of the Federation of BiH, Cantons, Cities, and Municipalities in Disaster-Affected Areas, as well as the Bill on Amendments to the Law on the Sale of Apartments with Tenancy Rights.

The session will also consider the Bill on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Salaries and Other Benefits of Judges and Prosecutors in the FBiH, and the Bill on Amendments to the Law on Salaries and Benefits in the Authorities of the Federation, which implements the decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH and removes discrimination against professional advisors of the Supreme Court of the FBiH regarding the right to salary harmonization.

The House of Peoples will also consider the Draft Law on Citizen Initiatives and the Protection of Citizens and Activists in the Federation of BiH, proposed by delegate Sanela Klarić and representative Damir Nikšić.

As stated by the proposers, the practice of non-governmental organizations so far has shown that competent authorities often postpone decisions for more than a year, which renders citizen initiatives meaningless, especially in urgent cases. According to the proposed law, the competent authority is obliged to make a decision on the proposal of the initiative at the first subsequent session after the signatures are processed, and this process can last a maximum of 15 days from the date of receipt of the initiative.

Also on the agenda are reports on the execution of the FBiH budget for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2023, and for 2024, then reports on the investment of public funds of the FBiH for 2024, as well as borrowing based on bond issuance.