The US Embassy in Bosnia decided to suspend its Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton after the local assembly passed amendments to the Law on Internal Affairs which, according to Ambassador Eric Nelson, are designed to “reduce police independence, transparent good governance, legal certainty, and the rule of law.”

Nelson’s letter, addressed to Zenica-Doboj Canton Prime Minister, Mirnes Basic, and Speaker of the canton’s Assembly, Cazim Huskic, follows:

“Dear Prime Minister Basic and Speaker Huskic,

The U.S. Embassy has decided to immediately suspend its Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton. The Memorandum provided for cooperation in the fight against corruption through our Senior Anti-Corruption Advisor Program. The recent passage of amendments to the Law on Internal Affairs designed to reduce police independence, transparent good governance, legal certainty, and the rule of law, causes the U.S. Embassy to conclude the Zenica-Doboj Canton Government will not be a reliable partner in fighting corruption.

We remain committed to promoting democracy, transparency, accountability, and democratic governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina and across the Western Balkans, consistent with the standards the countries of the region must meet in order to secure their goals of advancing on the European path.

As a demonstration of this commitment, President Biden has signed a new Executive Order which expands sanctions designation criteria, to address current challenges such as corruption, and other actions that obstruct key institutions and international agreements, including new agreements and institutions.”