High Representative Christian Schmidt visited the BiH High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC), where he met with Council President Halil Lagumdzija, Vice Presidents Biljana Simeunovic and Sanela Gorusanovic-Butigan, HJPC Presidency member Sanin Bogunic, as well as the Director of the Secretariat Admir Suljagic and Deputy Director Hajro Poskovic, to highlight the importance of the BiH HJPC in developing an independent and professional judiciary.

“The HJPC, together with the BiH Court and the BiH Prosecutor’s Office, is the cornerstone in developing a professional and independent judiciary in BiH. A single, common council for BiH is indispensable for ensuring a single legal space in BiH governed by the rule of law,” said the High Representative.

“I would like to point out how important it is for the HJPC to demonstrate its strong dedication to preventing corruption in the judiciary, above all in the HJPC itself. This involves implementing the rules to ensure the highest standards of integrity of the Council members, judges and prosecutors, including when it comes to preventing conflict of interest or other undue influences. The HJPC and the judiciary must be institutions in which the citizens have absolute trust. I encourage everyone to support this fundamental element of checks and balances in a democracy,” concluded the High Representative Schmidt.