High Representative Enables Canton Ministries of Interior to Seek UNMiBH Accreditation in Nine FBiH Cantons

The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, on Friday enacted legislative changes in the Ministry of Interior (MoI) Laws in nine of the ten FBiH Cantons. These changes allow the Ministries of Interior of Cantons Two to Ten to seek UNMiBH accreditation showing that they meet basic standards of democratic policing. Canton 1, the Una-Sana Canton, has already adopted these changes receiving accreditation on 3 October this year.

The UNMiBH/IPTF Systems Analysis Project has been working with Canton Ministries of Interior to develop more modern and democratic operating standards and processes. These include, for example, a proper ranking system for police officers, transparent and accountable regulatory procedures and public oversight in internal disciplinary mechanisms. These system-related changes, mainly affecting organisational management and structures, will professionalise the police forces, depoliticise the way in which they operate, and will enhance the integrity of these institutions. Implementation of these changes has taken place in conjunction with the certification of individual police officers.

The High Representative has noted the high level of agreement achieved between Cantonal Interior Ministries’ Change-Management Teams and UNMiBH/IPTF, and understands that the Cantonal MoI’s have invested time and effort in developing these changes. However, because the normal Cantonal legislative process has been halted since the 5 October elections, the legislative bodies in these nine Cantons have not been in a position to adopt this legislation. The impending conclusion of the UNMiBH mandate at the end of the year, and the therefore limited timeframe for adopting these changes has prompted the High Representative to enact the changes yesterday.

The European Union Police Mission will continue to develop these standards of professional policing.