The State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) trade union today submitted requests to the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security and the Independent Committee due to concerns about serious threats to the lawful and professional work of police officers and the long-term institutional stalemate in appointing the agency’s leadership.
In the request to the Parliamentary Committee, the trade union expressed serious concerns about recent developments related to the actions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republika Srpska – Police Administration of East Sarajevo, which resulted in the filing of criminal charges against seven SIPA police officers, following the attempted arrest of Milorad Dodik in East Sarajevo.
“According to the allegations of the East Sarajevo Police Department, our officers are charged with the criminal offenses of unlawful deprivation of liberty and abuse of office. However, we emphasize that these officers acted exclusively in accordance with the laws and upon the order of the competent prosecutor’s office, acting professionally, conscientiously and within the scope of their powers prescribed by the Law on SIPA and the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Of particular concern is the fact that the names of the officers were published by initials in public, which exposes them to additional pressure, stigmatization and a potential threat to their personal safety. Such actions contribute to the politicization of the work of police bodies and violate the principles of legality and professional independence,” warns the SIPA Trade Union.
The parliamentary commission is requested to take measures and initiate activities within its jurisdiction that will ensure the protection of the legality of the actions of SIPA police officers; prevent political and institutional pressures on the work of police bodies; preserve the professional integrity and reputation of the BiH security institutions; establishing the circumstances under which SIPA officials are exposed to criminal charges despite lawful action by the Prosecutor’s Office.
The union also emphasizes in its statement the urgent need for the State Investigation and Protection Agency to finally receive full and legitimate leadership.
Therefore, it demands that the Commission request the Independent Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH to urgently complete the competition procedure and submit a ranking list for the selection of the Deputy Director of SIPA.
It also expects the Commission to request the Minister of Security of BiH to propose the appointment of the Director and Deputy Director of SIPA in accordance with the law, in order to enable the Agency to have functional and stable management, which is of crucial importance for its efficient and independent operation.
“Delaying appointments further destabilizes the work of the Agency and leaves room for political influence, which is unacceptable in the context of protecting the rule of law and the security of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the union emphasizes. They emphasize that they remain firmly committed to the fight for a professional, politically independent and lawful police service and in that spirit call on the Parliamentary Commission to stand up for the protection of its members and support the demands for a functional and lawful leadership of SIPA.
The SIPA Trade Union requests the Independent Board of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH to take all legal actions within its jurisdiction as soon as possible in order to complete the procedure for the election of the Deputy Director of SIPA.
“For a long time, SIPA has been operating without an appointed Director and Deputy Director, which seriously threatens the institutional stability, operational efficiency and strategic direction of the Agency. As an institution whose competences are directly related to the appointments and monitoring of the work of the management staff of police structures, the Independent Board has a key responsibility to enable the lawful and timely appointment of the top people of this agency,” the statement said.
In this regard, the Trade Union requests the Independent Board to urgently complete the competition procedure for the election of the Deputy Director of SIPA in accordance with applicable regulations and to submit a proposal to the Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also requests that the Independent Board, in cooperation with the Ministry of Security of BiH, contribute to the appointment of the complete management of SIPA – the director and deputy, in order to avoid further institutional blockade and enable legitimate and stable management of the Agency.
They warn that the absence of the appointed management opens up space for political and institutional pressures, makes it difficult to make key decisions and threatens internal and state security. It also leaves employees without clearly defined directions of action and the support that legal management should provide.
The SIPA trade union appeals for the Independent Board to act in accordance with its competences and enable the fulfillment of legal requirements for the smooth functioning of the agency.
