Associations that represent persons who were denied certification by the International Police Task Force Mission (IPTF) have announced new demonstrations outside the OHR tomorrow.

Without questioning the right to peaceful demonstrations OHR highlights that the UN Security Council on 30 April 2007 set the terms for lifting the lifetime ban on work in law enforcement institutions and equalised the rights of these individuals with others in BiH. 

The United Nations is the only organisation that can review issues arising from decisions made by IPTF. In 2004 OHR embarked on an intensive lobbing effort to persuade the UN and permanent members of the Security Council to address the issue of persons denied certification by IPTF.

When the UNSC in its letter of 30 April 2007 specified the legal conditions for lifting the lifetime ban on those denied certification by the IPTF to work in Law enforcement agencies individual who has been denied certification were given the same rights as others in BiH.

In their letter the UNSC requires State, Entity, Canton and Brcko District authorities to adopt legislative changes to their respective Laws on Police Officials. These institutions are responsible for ensuring those conditions are met. 

The BiH State, the Republika Srpska, the Federation BiH, and Canton 10 are yet to comply with the requirements of the UNSC up until now.  Ultimately, this is a matter between BiH and the UNSC and BiH will need to fulfill its obligations.