Despite the insistence of certain political officials from the BiH entity Republika Srpska, the Agency for Statistics of BiH does not have an intention to withdraw the decision on the publishing of population census results in BiH, confirmed the Deputy Director of the Agency for Statistics of BiH Fadil Fatić.
Fatić reiterated that the Agency for Statistics of BiH is operating entirely in accordance with the valid laws and international recommendations and that the decision reached by the Director of the Agency for Statistics of BiH Velimir Jukić was fully supported by representatives of all pertinent institutions of the European Union and other international organizations that are in charge of this issue.
“It is not on us to comment the statements of domestic officials, but I must point out that the Agency will never operate contrary to the law and international standards, regardless of the pressure. Nothing will affect our independency and professionalism,” Fatić said.
Certain officials from Republika Srpska urged the Agency for Statistics of BiH and the Director Velimir Jukić to withdraw the decision on the publishing of population census results.
“The Agency for Statistics will not withdraw the decision. There is no legal possibility for the Agency to withdraw the decision. If we had reached any other decision, exactly the opposite would have happened: we would face a number of charges within BiH and out of BiH because that would be a violation of international regulations. I am convinced that such action would even be recorded in the Strasbourg Court,” Fatić said.
When asked for a comment on the announcements of the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik that the Institute for Statistics of the RS might break cooperation with the Agency for Statistics of BiH, Fatić answered that the entity institute has clearly defined obligations in the Law on the Population Census in BiH, in the entity Law on Statistics, and the Law on Organization of Census in RS.
“They have their obligations in those laws and entities are obliged to respect those laws. If the opposite happens, then it is logical and clear what that means. Laws must be respected and laws are above everyone,” Fatić concluded.
(Source: klix.ba/photo: vijesti.ba)
