OSCE disappointed that election law not sent to parliament in Bosnia and Herzegovina
TRAVNIK, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5 April 2001 - OSCE Head of Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Robert L. Barry, criticized the Council of Ministers for failing to come to a consensus today on the draft election law. The failure to reach consensus prevented the Council of Ministers from forwarding the draft law to the BiH parliament for consideration.
"It is highly unfortunate through the actions of the Foreign Minister, that the draft election law could not be sent to the parliament today," said Ambassador Barry. "This law is a prerequisite for membership in the Council of Europe and is the first step in the European Union roadmap. It is ironic that the obstruction is from a member of a party making up the Alliance for Changes, the platform of which claims to embrace these goals."
While the OSCE appreciates that some politicians would like to secure fundamental changes in the way BiH institutions are elected, the OSCE has insisted on numerous occasions that the draft election law cannot be used to amend the constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Amendments must follow the constitutionally prescribed procedures and must be agreed to by all three constituent peoples.
Ambassador Barry noted that a permanent election law is the hallmark of any democratic state. The failure to pass an election law will signal BiH's unwillingness to join Europe's clubs and move forward with democratic reforms. The Ambassador called on the Council of Ministers to urgently reconsider today's decision and immediately send the draft law to Parliament where it can be debated by BiH's elected representatives.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
For more information, please contact Luke Zahner, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, tel.: ++387/(0)66 144-311.