Tegeltija in Brussels: European Union encourages further implementation of judicial reforms

BRUSSELS, (Patria) - The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC BiH) has welcomed the information that the European Commission acknowledges the significant efforts in implementing the recommendations of the Peer Review expert analysis, and particularly the fact that amendments and additions to the HJPC BiH Rules of Procedure have been adopted to improve the quality of judicial appointments.

The delegation of the HJPC BiH also presented its work on the initiative to amend the Law on the HJPC BiH to the Directorate-General for Justice of the European Commission. Following a constructive discussion, it was agreed that by mid-June, the HJPC BiH would adopt the final proposal of the initiative and submit it to the European Commission services for assessment.

At the meeting with the Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, Christian Danielsson, it was reiterated that the current dynamics and results in implementing the peer review recommendations are encouraging and that work should continue to align the judiciary in Bosnia and Herzegovina with European standards regarding independence, efficiency, professionalism, quality, and transparency.

President Tegeltija particularly emphasized the importance of implementing recommendations in the area of prosecuting corruption and organized crime and highlighted the HJPC BiH's commitment to doing everything within its jurisdiction to achieve concrete results in the foreseeable future, in line with the highest European standards, including the relevant GRECO recommendations for combating corruption in the judiciary.

However, all other institutions, specifically the executive and legislative authorities, must fulfill their obligations in a coordinated manner to improve results regarding investigations, criminal prosecution, and convictions for corruption and organized crime, which are yet to be seen.

Specifically related to this aspect, Director-General Danielsson and President Tegeltija agreed on the growing concern due to the legislative authority's failure to act in accordance with the decision of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to amend the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning special investigative measures and witness immunity.

The catastrophic consequences that could ensue for the judiciary in the event of a legal vacuum would threaten national security and international cooperation, and send a negative message at a time when the European Union is preparing its Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina's application for EU membership.

Therefore, all interlocutors called on the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina to amend the aforementioned law without delay in accordance with international standards, as the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH has already done.