BiH Government and the Implementation of the “Sejdic-Finci” Decision

ACBH is disheartened to see that the government of BiH will be unable to meet the August 31st deadline set forth by the EU to implement the "Sejdic-Finci" decision. EU policy makers had hoped that their “Road Map for BiH” would encourage the Bosnian government to implement concrete solutions to areas of concern regarding BiH’s future membership in the organization however that has proven to be futile.

The 2009 decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), ruled that the constitution of BiH violates the European Convention on Human Rights by not allowing ethnic minorities to run for the tripartite Presidency and the House of Peoples. Compliance with all decisions of ECtHR is a prerequisite not only for EU membership, but also a prerequisite in order for the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between BiH and the EU to go into force. In addition to providing financial and technical assistance, the SAA is necessary for BiH’s membership in the EU and will allow BiH greater access to the EU markets.

Although the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has proposed a solution to the Sejdic-Finci matter, the solution must be approved by all political parties. As of now, no joint meetings have been scheduled due to political infighting. With Parliament not scheduled to meet before September, BiH will miss its first deadline on the EU roadmap. The political leadership of BiH must make a concerted effort to follow the roadmap and ensure the European future of BiH. With concerted political will, BiH can move forward with its aspirations of EU membership and become a truly united, democratic, and multiethnic country.