Another Meeting of the PIC Steering Board Wasted

(Patria) - The Political Directors of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC SB) met on 19 and 20 June 2024 in Sarajevo to assess the situation regarding the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The two-day session focused on key opportunities and challenges facing BiH.

The PIC SB welcomes the decision of the European Council of 21 March 2024 to open accession negotiations with BiH, a historic moment for this country and all its citizens. The PIC SB calls on all institutions and political actors in BiH to seize this opportunity and work together to take all necessary steps towards strengthening democracy, consolidating the rule of law, guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms, and fighting widespread corruption.

The PIC SB expects the BiH authorities to adopt the state budget for 2024 without further delay, which must adequately support the capacity of all state institutions to function properly and fulfil their constitutional and legal obligations, including those arising from the Euro-Atlantic integration process.

The PIC SB emphasises that fair and transparent elections are essential for a functioning democracy and calls on all actors in BiH to ensure the smooth conduct of the local elections on 6 October 2024. The PIC SB calls on the citizens of BiH to exercise their constitutional and democratic right and vote in the elections, which should be held with an increased level of transparency and integrity. The PIC SB welcomed the presentation by Dr. Irena Hadžiabdić, President of the Central Election Commission of BiH, on preparations for the local elections, and commended the activities and once again expressed its strong support for the Central Election Commission of BiH. Representatives of the EU, OSCE and the US informed the PIC SB about pilot projects aimed at improving the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process.

The PIC SB discussed the general political environment in BiH, with an address by the Vice President of the RS, Ćamil Duraković, on the latest developments in the RS entity, including the current situation in Srebrenica.

The PIC SB strongly condemns the flagrant attacks by the ruling coalition in the Republika Srpska (RS) on the General Framework Agreement for Peace, the constitutional and legal order of BiH, and its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sovereignty belongs to Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single state, whose territorial integrity is guaranteed by the General Framework Agreement for Peace. The entities within Bosnia and Herzegovina are not states; they exist solely on the basis of the BiH Constitution and have no sovereignty of their own.

Therefore, the PIC SB calls on the ruling coalition in the RS to cease all activities that undermine the state, its institutions and its multi-ethnic character. The PIC SB reiterates that the international community retains the necessary instruments to ensure respect for the General Framework Agreement for Peace.

The PIC SB also clarified that the Republika Srpska is not a signatory to the General Framework Agreement for Peace. The Parties to the Agreement committed themselves to fully respect the sovereign equality, territorial integrity and political independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to fully respect and promote the fulfilment of the obligations undertaken in the annexes to the General Framework Agreement for Peace, including its Constitution.

The PIC SB took note of the fact that the Draft Law on the Special Register and Publicity of Work of Non-Profit Organisations was withdrawn from the procedure in the National Assembly of the RS and expresses regret over the negative effect and damage this draft law has already caused regarding the space for civil action, freedom of association and freedom of expression. The PIC SB further calls on the RS authorities to withdraw the decision to criminalise defamation, as well as to cease all activities that endanger political pluralism, media freedom, freedom of speech and the space for civil society, and stigmatise minorities. Such conduct has no place in a democratic society and is contrary to the repeatedly stated commitment of the RS leadership to work on the progress of the entire country towards
European integration.

The PIC SB calls on the authorities in the FBiH to promptly carry out the remaining appointments to the Constitutional Court of the FBiH and to regulatory bodies, and to adopt and implement laws that ensure greater transparency and integrity of public functions, combat corruption and support economic growth. These steps are necessary for further improving the functionality of the entity.

The PIC SB strongly condemns the unprecedented pressures on the judiciary, especially on the Constitutional Court of BiH. The PIC reminds the RS institutions that the decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH are final and binding, and that the entities are obliged to fully comply with the Constitution and the decisions of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The PIC SB welcomes the appointment of one judge to the Constitutional Court of BiH by the House of Representatives of the FBiH and calls on the National Assembly of the RS to promptly appoint two judges in order to establish the full composition of the Constitutional Court of BiH with the aim of ensuring its efficient functioning.

Furthermore, attacks on the High Representative and the undermining of his activities seriously affect the implementation of the civilian aspects of the General Framework Agreement for Peace. The PIC SB calls for the urgent abandonment of the RS policy of non-recognition and non-cooperation with the High Representative. The PIC SB warns that respect for the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH is an obligation and expects the RS authorities to cooperate constructively with the High Representative.

The PIC SB encourages the domestic authorities to engage constructively in finding an acceptable and sustainable solution to the issue of state property, which is a key element of the 5+2 Agenda. Failure to resolve this issue seriously affects investments and the economic growth of the country.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted on 23 May the Resolution on the International Day of Commemoration and Remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide of 1995. The PIC SB calls on all public officials in BiH to end the practice of denying the genocide and to work together to build trust and understanding in the interest of the stability, peace and prosperity of BiH.

The PIC SB calls on all parties to promote an environment conducive to reconciliation, which can only be built on truth, peace and justice. All political leaders in BiH have a responsibility to lead this process, based on dialogue and mutual respect. This requires accepting and acknowledging the facts, teaching future generations the truth, honouring and remembering all victims regardless of their nationality, working to locate, find and identify the missing, and investigating and prosecuting suspects who remain at large. Dialogue and trust are prerequisites for the stability and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as for sustainable economic development.

The PIC SB commends the efforts of Mr. Jonathan Mennuti, the Principal Deputy High Representative (PDHR) and Supervisor for Brčko District, in working with the members of the Steering Board on the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, the implementation of the 5+2 Agenda and the creation of dynamic reforms in Brčko District. The PIC SB welcomes Mr. Louis Crishock, who will take over the role of Principal Deputy High Representative and Supervisor for Brčko District.


The PIC SB will hold its next regular meeting on 3 and 4 December 2024.