OHR on calls for restructuring the Polcie Directorate
The OHR, like you, has noted the ultimatum issued by Prime Minister Dodik on Sunday, calling for the establishment of the Police Directorate to be amended — which would mean going back on an agreement that Mr Dodik signed and would undermine the Directorate’s work over the last ten months. If no amendment is agreed, Mr Dodik warns that the RSNA will be presented with an option to withdraw from the Directorate.
Other RS politicians have since expressed support for Mr Dodik’s position.
OHR reminds these party leaders that the
“to resume full and active participation in the work of the Directorate and to engage in the process laid out in the Agreement”. The Steering Board called on “political leaders to achieve progress on police restructuring through constructive talks on police reform to facilitate the work of the Directorate and subsequent adoption of the Directorate’s proposal by State and Entity governments and parliaments.”
And less than a week ago, the EU Council called on “BiH’s authorities quickly to restore momentum on reform” and “expressed particular concern over the lack of progress towards the implementation of the October 2005 agreement on police restructuring.”
The underlying principle of Police Reform is to eliminate political influence from policing. That is why the Directorate, a technical body, was set up. OHR maintains that this process needs to be respected and brought to a successful conclusion.