Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), had online meetings with Brcko District BiH Mayor, Sinisa Milic and Assembly Speaker, Esed Kadric on 22 June 2020.
The importance of adoption of key Brcko District legislation before the upcoming elections, such as the Law on Associations and Foundations, Law on Public Assemblies and Law on National Minorities, were the focus of the discussions. Kavalec expressed her hope to see the adoption of Laws on Peaceful Assembly, Minorities and Associations and Foundations at the first reading of the law in July, with final adoption by September.
The Mission supports District authorities in their endeavor in drafting a Law on Conflict of Interest as well as other measures to combat corruption.
“As BiH is facing local elections in November this year, the Mission is working with the District to support free and fair elections that are issue-based, constructive and inclusive. It is encouraging major political parties to ensure ethic and gender-balanced campaigning,” said Kavalec.
The upcoming project to clean up the voter registry by overseeing the process of verification of residence status was announced during the meetings. The project activities are aimed at limiting the possibilities for electoral fraud and shifting the political narrative in BD during the official 2020 election campaign from negative and ethno-nationalistic to more constructive, inclusive and interest-based.
The OSCE Mission to BiH remains dedicated to co-operating in the future modernization of the District’s Institutions work and the implementation of reforms.
Also discussed was the importance of establishing the Brcko District Anti-corruption Office and appointing its Acting Director. “Such an office would have a positive impact on the implementation of anti-corruption laws in the District,” said Kavalec.
