The OSCE Mission to BiH warned on Friday that withdrawal from state institutions such as the top state judicial institution, as announced by the authorities in the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska (RS) entity authorities, would go against the Dayton Peace Agreement, undermining the fight against organised and other forms of serious crime.

“The OSCE BiH reaffirms support for the Dayton Peace Agreement, its values and the rule of law. The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council BiH (HJPC BiH) reinforces the independence of the judiciary, promotes legal harmonisation, and reduces legal fragmentation.

Withdrawing from the HJPC BiH goes against the letter and spirit of the Dayton Peace Agreement and will undermine the processing of serious crimes as it will establish parallel judicial structures – widening space for criminal impunity,” the OSCE BiH tweeted.

#OSCEBiH reaffirms support for the Dayton Peace Agreement, its values and the rule of law. The HJPC BiH reinforces the independence of the judiciary, promotes legal harmonisation, and reduces legal fragmentation. (1/2)

— OSCE Mission to BiH 🇧🇦 (@OSCEBiH) February 4, 2022

The British Embassy to BiH also recently condemned one other step in withdrawing from BiH state institutions – the formation of the RS Agency for medicinal products and medical devices.

“The United Kingdom rejects all attempts to undo 26 years of progress. Practical steps towards withdrawing from state institutions are a dangerous and deliberate attempt to divert public attention from the failure to improve the living standards of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the fight against corruption. As the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board said on December 8, it is necessary to return to state-level institutions, where one can discuss and work to address the many challenges facing the country. The focus must be on making progress on reforms and on the Euro-Atlantic path.”

Representatives of the parties of the ruling coalition in the RS submitted the Draft Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of the RS to the RS National Assembly Speaker Nedeljko Cubrilovic.

A request was also sent that the Draft Law be considered at the next session of the National Assembly, which is scheduled for February 8.

This Draft Law envisages that it will be applied one year after its entry into force. The proponents explained that this period was necessary due to the formation of the Council.