22 December marks the entire six years of Bosnia and Herzegovina failing to implement the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in the case “Sejdic-Finci vs. BiH”. “It is BiH’s obligation, as a member of the Council of Europe to address this issue. The implementation of the Sejdic-Finci ruling will benefit everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This ruling represents a clear basis on which it is possible to protect and celebrate the diversity that enriches and strengthens the fabric of BiH society,” said the High Representative Valentin Inzko.
This anniversary is a good opportunity to once again remind the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to bring the country’s Constitution and its electoral arrangements in line with the ECtHR ruling and the European Convention on Human Rights.
“The Sejdic-Finci ruling is about making sure that every citizen in BiH enjoys the same rights to participate in public life. It is about removing discrimination from the society. Implementation of this ruling would be a sign of maturity of the BiH institutions, and a proof of their dedication to tolerance and openness. Furthermore, it would help to reestablish the traditional way of life and values of the society of Bosnia and Herzegovina where every culture was welcome and equally treated and where everybody had the equal right to vote and to be elected”, the High Representative concluded.