Judge Kees van der Weide is leaving BiH: The judicial system must go after those who attack it

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Dutch judge Kees van der Weide, who worked as an advisor to the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) at the initiative of the European Union, is leaving BiH after almost a year and a half. He was known for his criticism of the BiH judiciary and individuals who held or hold judicial positions.

He wrote on LinkedIn that he had to balance and be mindful of the consequences he could cause.

"As an advisor, I tried to push things in the right direction," the judge stated.

In the article "Wonderful People, Terrible Leaders," the Dutch judge analyzes the situation after former High Representative Valentin Inzko imposed amendments to the BiH Criminal Code, which punishes the denial of genocide and other war crimes.

He states that BiH has entered a crisis because Inzko's law cannot be understood rationally.

In conversations with taxi drivers, waiters, and workers with whom he had the opportunity to interact, everyone agrees that systemic corruption is the main problem in BiH.

However, Judge van der Weide notes that political leaders are beating the "war drums," promoting rhetoric of division and nationalism, instead of enabling citizens to have a better life. He also commented on the institution where he has worked for the past year and a half, the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council.

"I noticed how deep-rooted this institution is, although it was conceived as an independent body, it is part of a game that paralyzes itself and its performance."

The judge also recalls the former president of the HJPC, Milan Tegeltija, who led the body for years and very quickly revealed his true goal and aspirations for dissolution.

He further states that President Halil Lagumdžija and most members of the HJPC are committed to improving the functionality of the HJPC and are not shying away from it.

"The dissolution of the HJPC would mean a big step backward. It would erase everything this institution has achieved since 2004, despite constant attacks from those who will not 'survive' the day when the judicial system is mature enough to go after them," he stated in the letter.

He expressed hope that the citizens of BiH will make a change in the upcoming elections.

"Remember Albert Einstein. He taught us that a problem cannot be solved with the same people who caused it. The will of the people is the only force that can bring about change," concludes the Dutch judge.