High Representative Expects Serb Delegates To Return To Parliament

“There is an evident lack of respect for the BiH Parliament as an institution and BiH as a democratic state” the High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, said today in response to the continued boycott of the BiH House of Representatives by representatives from the Republika Srpska. “The State’s institutions must not be undermined”, he said.

“Only two weeks ago I addressed BiH’s parliament and called on parliamentarians to step forward and take on full responsibility. This means carrying out the tasks that progress requires, reforms that will bring this country, and its citizens, forward”, said the High Representative today. “Misusing the political system established under the Dayton constitution strengthens the need for reform of this countries structures”.

The High Representative noted that a Council of Ministers Decision to establish the Commission which would investigate the fate of all those who suffered in Sarajevo during 1992 and 1995 was passed by the Council of Ministers last week. The process of establishing the Commission's membership is now underway.

“I expect the BiH House of Representatives to meet as soon as possible. There are still sixteen weeks before the elections. It is imperative that no further actions are taken which undermine the functioning of the State’s institutions”, said the High Representative today.