Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Bećirović, has hailed the strong and sustained cooperation with the Council of Europe since the country joined the organisation in 2002. The country has since steadily aligned its legal and institutional framework with European standards on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
He warned of continued political tensions and attempts to undermine the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing the importance of safeguarding peace, stability and state institutions. While calling for comprehensive constitutional and electoral reform to eliminate systemic discrimination identified in the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, he praised the Parliamentary Assembly’s clear support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including through a resolution adopted in January of this year.
Priority reforms for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Chairperson Bećirović further called for a transition towards a more inclusive, civic-based democracy ensuring equal rights for all citizens. He emphasised that strengthening the rule of law, improving institutional functionality and fully implementing human rights standards are essential for the country’s democratic development.
Looking ahead, he outlined key priorities for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future, including accelerating the country’s accession to Euro-Atlantic institutions and ensuring full alignment with European standards by, among other things, taking into account the opinions of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission.
“The future of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in a comprehensive democratic reform of the entire social, economic and state structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will ensure that the basic political subject is the individual as a free citizen,” concluded the Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Bećirović.
Watch Chairperson Bećirović’s full speech
Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Council of Europe
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