Joint statement by OSCE Chairman-in-Office Rau and Secretary General Schmid on recent political developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina

WARSAW/VIENNA, 11 February 2022 – The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau, and OSCE Secretary General Schmid made the following statement after the adoption in first reading of the Draft Law on Republika Srpska’s High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council by the Republika Srpska National Assembly:

“The unilateral withdrawal from state-level institutions is against Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitution and undermines the overall security and stability of the country. The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a fundamental safeguard in upholding the rule of law in the country. The establishment of a parallel structure at the entity level  would undermine the achievements made so far in reforming the rule of law in the country and would endanger further progress in this field.”

“The OSCE reaffirms its support for the Dayton Peace Agreement and its values. Withdrawing from the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina would go against the letter and spirit of the Agreement, jeopardizing the independence, impartiality, and professionalism of the judiciary in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while widening the space for criminal impunity.”

“We urge the RSNA to withdraw this law and call on all leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to work together to create the conditions necessary for constructive political dialogue, for the benefit of all citizens across the country.”