The discussion: Alternative model of implementation of the Sejdic-Finci decision: Unicameral assemlby system?

March 7, 2013

Monday, 11th March 2013, 18 h

Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Sarajevo, Skenderija 72, Hall 26, 2nd floor

Participants:

Darko Brkan, UG Why not

Mary Ann Hennesey, Head of Sarajevo Office at Council of Europe in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sasa Gavric, Sarajevo Open Centre

Damir Banovic, Centre for Political Studies

Ruling in December 2009. in Sejdic and Finci v. Bosnia and Herzegovina case, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has set clear task for the BiH institutions and political elites: the political system of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be reorganized in such a way so that any citizen can be able to access the Presidency and House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly, regardless of their ethnic origin. The political consequences of the ruling go even further and implicate the constitutional elimination of discrimination in all institutions at all levels within the BiH state structure. From 2010 till today there were conducted various discussions on the implementation of the decision. Political elites have not been able to find a satisfactory solution for all citizens. The negotiations were conducted in closed circles, outside the stipulated parliamentary structures. Starting from these frameworks, the discussion Coalition EQUALITY want to talk about:

– Attitudes and requests of the Coalition EQUALITY when it comes to constitutional discrimination;

– Participation of experts from civil society organizations in the process of constitutional reforms;

– BiH’s obligations towards the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission’s recommendations, and

– An alternative model of implementation of decision, which includes the elimination of the Presidency, transferring executive power exclusively to the Council of Ministers, and the abolition of the House of Peoples and the formation of the unicameral national parliament.

We hope you will participate. Contact: [email protected]

Coalition Equality was formed from a need to articulate the voice and interest of a number BiH citizens, that don’t agree to current principles of discrimination within the constitutional framework of BiH based on ethnic exclusivity and domination of so-called „contituent peoples“. Currently, 22 organizations from various parts of BiH have joined the Coalition. Coalition has the goal of changing the constitution and legislation on all levels of government in BiH in order to establish total equality of citizens that don’t declare as members of one of the contituent peoples to the members of the consitutent peoples in all aspects of political, human, social and other rights.