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SARAJEVO, December 8 (FENA) - Members of the Ad Hoc Inquiry Commission of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiHPA) to determine the situation in the BiH judicial institutions participated in a video presentation of the Note on Parliamentary Investigations on Judicial Activities, in cooperation with the OSCE Mission to BiH, prepared by experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
The Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec, assessed that the Inquiry Commission, the first of its kind in the BiH parliamentary democracy, represents an important milestone towards the establishment of a system of control, balance and mutual responsibility between the three branches of government while ensuring respect for the principle of separation of powers.
According to Kavalec, the purpose of the Note presented today is to complete the pioneering work of the Inquiry Commission, as well as to provide information and direct the activities of some future parliamentary inquiry commissions.
Emphasizing that the Delegation of the European Union to BiH supports the work of the Inquiry Commission, Head of the Delegation and Special Representative of the European Union to BiH, Johann Sattler pointed out that European officials strongly encourage members of the Inquiry Commission to continue working to accelerate reforms in the BiH judiciary.
Warning that without progress in the rule of law, BiH will not be able to obtain a candidate status for EU membership, Sattler expects that a new law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of BiH will be adopted soon.
He also hopes that the Inquiry Commission will find constructive ways to contribute to improving the situation in the judiciary while respecting the independence of prosecutors and judges in making decisions in individual cases.
British Ambassador to BiH Matthew Field said strengthening the rule of law encourages foreign investment, facilitates business and helps the country move forward on the Euro-Atlantic path.
It was also noted that the US Government also supports the work of the Ad Hoc Inquiry Commission.
"When problems arise in the judiciary or the executive power, the legislature must have the ability to raise its voice, ask necessary questions and demand changes," said Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in BiH Ellen Germain, and reminded of the video meeting of members of the Inquiry Commission with Congressman David Price.
She said that the contacts and exchange of experiences of the representatives of the Inquiry Commission with the House of Representatives of the US Congress would continue in the future.
Representatives and experts of the ODIHR pointed out that the Inquiry Commission respected the thin line between the three pillars of power in its work, as well as the standard that the principle of judicial independence is fully respected when conducting a parliamentary inquiry.
They also pointed out the transparency of the work of this commission, as well as its openness to the representatives of the judiciary, civil society and the media, stated the BiH Parliamentary Assembly.
(FENA) S. R.
