The High Representative’s Decision removes Mr Pecelj from his ministerial post andbars him from holding any official, elective or appointive office and from running in elections unless or until such time as the High Representative may expressly authorize him to do so.
Specifically, Mr Pecelj failed to fulfill his legal duties with respect to Mr. Lukic’s continued illegal employment by the Faculty of Law of the University of Eastern Sarajevo . This was a matter that came under his direct ministerial supervision.
Mr Pecelj failed to make a clear public statement in order to inform the students that Mr. Lukic is barred by law from holding his current posts and that, in consequence, any accreditation of students emanating from him is null and void.
The autonomous status of universities in BiH does not mean that their staff can violate the law.
“Only by abiding by the Law, and acting in the interests of all citizens and institutions will the future of this country be secured,» the High Representative noted today. “I cannot accept willful, repeated and longstanding obstruction of that process by a person holding ministerial office.”