OHR Calls On State,
and Entities To  Complete Defence Reform

BiH is fast approaching the entry into force of the
new State Level laws on Defence –January 1st, 2006. 

This is a major achievement. However, key legislation has to
be adopted in order to ensure the smooth transfer of competencies to
the State Level.

At the State Level changes need to be made to the Criminal Code,
and the Law on Ministries. We urge the state do this without further
delay.

At the Entity Level a number of laws need to be passed or
amended  in order  to ensure the transition and
implementation of the State Defence Laws goes smoothly. Both the RS
and the Federation are leaving very little time to do this.

The RSNA must also adopt Constitutional Amendments and four Laws
which would clarify that the RS’s role in Defence has ended. In addition, the
RSNA needs to adopt the Constitutional Transfer Agreement that would move
responsibility for Defence fully to the State Level.

The FBiH Parliament similarly needs to amend or adopt five
Laws to clarifying that responsibility for Defence has now passed to
the State level. The FBiH HoP is expected to consider final changes to the FBiH
Constitution during today and tomorrow that would allow the
complete transition of responsibility for Defence to the State Level.

OHR calls on both Entity governments to prioritise this legislation
at their forthcoming sessions, and to schedule special sessions if
necessary to ensure that  this reform is completed by
the end of the year, so that the new defence regime is fully operational on
January 1st.