OHR, BH Institutions Discuss UN Meetings on Decertified Police Officers

OHR officials briefed representatives of the BiH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees (BiH MHRR) today at the OHR on the results of a series of meetings held with the United Nations in New York in early June.

In New York , the OHR team met with the UN Secretariat and with the Security Council’s Coordination and Drafting Group. In New York OHR/EUSR representatives described how a review process such as the one recommended by the Venice Commission might be launched with the support from the OHR/EUSR, the EUPM and the BiH authorities. The Coordination and Drafting Group and the UN Secretariat have asked for additional information.

In Sarajevo today, MHRR representatives confirmed that they would approach the Ministries of Interior in the entities, the BiH Ministry of Security and the State Border Service to confirm the status of cases brought before courts in BiH in preparation for the next round of discussions with the United Nations, which could take place at the end of July.

“It is clear that the United Nations must take the lead in any review process concerning their own mandate,” the High Representative and EU Special Representative said. He also reiterated that he would continue to work with the BiH institutions to ensure that the United Nations adequately addresses the issues raised by the Venice Commission affecting certain police officers denied certification.

OHR and BiH MHRR representatives have held intensive consultations on this issue. “The International Community cannot leave such issues – where there is no legal BiH successor – unresolved,” the High Representative/EU Special Representative said. “The Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and I will continue our efforts to resolve this issue together with the United Nations.”