Brcko Supervisor Susan R. Johnson today issued a Supervisory Order making technical amendments to the Statute of the Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, following consultations with councilors of the Interim Assembly of the Brcko District, members of the Interim Government of the Brcko District and the Brcko District Police.
The Statute of the Brcko District, the main implementing document of the Final Award and the founding charter of the Brcko District, entered into force on March 8, 2000. It is based on the democratic principles of rule of law, effective and transparent public administration, and responsive governance.
After four years of implementation, it had become obvious that some provisions of the Statute needed to be updated, in order to reflect political developments and to be consistent with the District’s maturing legal framework.
The amendments represent technical changes to the Statute to improve the efficiency of the Government, the Police and the Judiciary, and to enhance transparency and accountability. The amendments include these changes:
- The list of officials who must submit Annual Financial Disclosure Statements on their total income, assets, and liabilities (and how these funds were acquired) is extended to include all their close family members. In addition, the officials must present their statements to the Assembly, which will make them available to the public.
- The list of officials whose performance is subject to an annual formal evaluation by the Assembly is extended to include holders of Offices created after 8 March 2000. These officials continue to be prohibited from holding any other position in the public or private sector for the duration of their election or appointment.
- The number of issues requiring a 3/5 majority vote for passage in the Assembly is extended and includes decisions concerning the following: a) The Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, b) The Brcko District Budget, c) The adoption and amendment of Brcko District laws, d) The election and dismissal of all persons elected by the Assembly, e) The consent given by the Assembly to the appointment or removal of officials in accordance with the Statute and the law, f) The Assembly’s veto to the appointment of Heads of Departments by the Mayor.
- The Mayor is given greater flexibility in organizing the District Government as economically and efficiently as possible, within the constraints of available District funds.
- The Assembly is given the power to remove the Mayor from office before the end of his/her term only for cause.
- The District Police organization is streamlined to have one Deputy Chief of Police.
Supervisor Johnson commends the Brcko District authorities for their commitment to upholding the Statute, and ensuring compliance with the legal framework of the Brcko District.