The High Representative today expressed his deep disappointment over the failure of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly to find a solution to the issue of the Personal Reference Number (JMB).

The BiH Constitutional Court first ruled on this issue in 2011 and yet still the BiH Parliamentary Assembly cannot find the will to fill the legal vacuum.

“Parliament cannot continue to fail the citizens. This time, the victims of the endless political bickering we are witnessing are the country’s newest and youngest citizens, new born children who are unable to receive personal reference numbers essential for accessing basic government services,” said the High Representative. “Clearly something is very seriously wrong here, and the BiH Parliamentary Assembly needs to correct it”.

The High Representative today made clear that despite two failed attempts it remains the responsibility of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly to adopt an amendment to the existing legislation that will get the existing system working again.

“This system has functioned well over the years and serves all the citizens in an equal manner, the BiH Parliamentary Assembly must recognize this” said HR Inzko.

“Their role does not end with failure, they must find and adopt a solution in the current law without further delay, and so doing show that they have put the citizen first”.