In today’s amendments to the BiH Election Law, High Representative Christian Schmidt fulfilled last year’s promise and banned anyone convicted of war crimes or unable to perform any duties from running in elections.
“No person convicted by any international or domestic court of the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes may stand for election or hold any elective, appointed or other office.”
Schmidt explained this with the words that it is necessary to ensure minimum standards of integrity of public officials in a country where public trust in institutions is fragile and further damaged when persons convicted of crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes can be appointed or elected to these institutions and having bearing in mind the fact that it is particularly important for victims and for reconciliation which is of utmost importance for any true progress of society as a whole, taking into account the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth of 18 July 2022.
This means that public institutions must not be allowed to hire or allow convicted or accused war criminals to run for office, Schmidt’s decision stated.
