HJPC BiH expressed support for the work of the Cantonal Court and the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office in Zenica

(Patria) - The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC BiH) wishes to remind the public that the role of prosecutor's offices is to take legally prescribed measures regarding investigative actions and prosecution of persons suspected of having committed criminal offenses, and the role of courts is to conduct proceedings and make decisions on guilt, and together to protect the exercise of human rights and civil liberties and ensure constitutionality and legality.

The court, prosecutor's office, and other bodies participating in the proceedings are obliged to examine and establish with equal attention both the facts incriminating the suspect, i.e., the accused, and those in their favor, therefore it is necessary to respect their independence and professionalism by all actors within Bosnian-Herzegovinian society, including politicians, representatives of the legislative and executive authorities, and citizens of our country.

In connection with the above, the HJPC BiH wishes to express its full support for the professional, independent, and impartial work of the Cantonal Court in Zenica and the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, emphasizing that as a system we appreciate every constructive criticism but also condemn any kind of pressure on the work of this Court and Prosecutor's Office, the chief prosecutor and the prosecutor working on the case due to which the mentioned institutions and holders of judicial functions are exposed to daily inappropriate comments, insults, and especially threats related to endangering the lives and property of holders of judicial functions and judicial institutions.

The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council condemns insinuations that create a wrong public impression about possible illegal and biased conduct of the Cantonal Court and the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office in Zenica and calls on political actors, representatives of legislative and executive authorities, the media, and citizens to refrain from inappropriate comments and insults against holders of judicial functions and thus damaging the reputation and trust of citizens in judicial institutions.