Establishing a high judicial and prosecutorial council at the level of Republika Srpska entity threatens the influence of judiciary and the primacy of the rule of law, the Office of the High Representative (OHR) said on Tuesday, in response to the announced discussion on a draft law stipulating the establishing of this institution in Bosnia's Serb-majority entity.

“The establishment of a single, state-level HJPC (High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council) was a pivotal consensual reform to modernise the BiH judiciary in accordance with European and international standards, fostering professionalism, transparency and efficiency in the judiciary while advancing impartial, independent and effective administration of justice throughout the country,” said the OHR, the international institution overseeing the implementation of peace process in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The state of BiH and its both entities, the Federation and Republika Srpska, have agreed in March 2004 unanimously to establish the single HJPC for Bosnia and Herzegovina, the OHR recalled, noting that “offensive adoption of another – RS HJPC violates this agreement.”

“It threatens the influence of judiciary and the primacy of rule of law,” it added.

The Office also said that a “professional judiciary free from political pressure and influence is key to developing a fair and democratic society and indispensable to BiH aspirations to become part of the European Union.”

The High Representative will discuss the issue and its consequences with the ambassadors representing the countries in the Peace Implementation Council, said the statement.