House of Representatives of PSBiH Session: Will the Law on HJPC Proposed by the Opposition from RS Pass?

(Patria) - The House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina should, at today's session, consider in the second reading the Bill on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, proposed by MPs: Darko Babalj, Branislav Borenović, Mira Pekić, Nenad Grković, and Mladen Bosić.

The adoption of the law on the HJPC is one of the conditions for opening BiH's negotiations with the European Union.

On December 22, the House of Representatives adopted the bill in the first reading (principles) through an expedited procedure, and tasked the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs to conduct a public debate on the Bill on the HJPC within 30 days.

During the public debate, attended by MPs and delegates of the PSBiH, representatives of the Council of Ministers of BiH, judicial institutions, the professional and academic community, as well as international institutions and civil society organizations, a comprehensive discussion was held during which various views, opinions, and proposals were presented regarding the proposed legal solution.

Participants highlighted the need to strengthen the independence, accountability, and transparency of judicial institutions, as well as to align domestic legislation with European standards. They specifically addressed issues concerning the composition and jurisdiction of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH, the method of electing its members, ethnic representation, and disciplinary responsibility mechanisms.

Several other legal proposals, as well as the Reform Agenda, submitted by the Council of Ministers of BiH, should be presented to the MPs.

Also on the agenda is the Bill on Amendments to the Law on Financing of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, proposed by Marinko Čavara in the first reading, which aims to enable cash salary payments when payment to a transaction account is not possible. Čavara is under US sanctions, and his bank closed his account in 2024, since when he has not received his salary as a state representative.

The agenda also includes the consideration of several reports, and one of the planned agenda items is the dismissal of Valentina Rupčić from the position of member of the Management Board of Radio Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina, following her resignation.