Commissioner for Human Rights

[22/01/07 11:30] "A constructive approach is required by all parties to resolve the urgent problem related to the barring of police officers from duty 'for life' after the UN-conducted vetting process between 1996-2002. I would encourage the UN Security Council to look into this matter again," said Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg following the publication of his analysis into the issue.

The Commissioner last week sent a report to the United Nations and the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stating that the lack of an appropriate legal remedy in the vetting process by the UN International Police Task Force (IPTF) has raised human rights concerns. In his report, he considers the consequences of this as serious, in particular, because the decisions were "for life" and had detrimental social consequences for the individuals. In addition, the report says that any change of procedure on the decertification issue should be reserved for the UN, while the government should not take unilateral steps at this time.

The Commissioner visited Sarajevo on 20-22 December 2006 to discuss complaints by approximately 260 police officers who had been barred from service. During his visit, he met the Presidency, the Government, the Constitutional Court, representatives of international organisations, and spokespersons of the complainants.
 

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