We are hereby informing the public that on 19 January 2024, the President of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has sent a letter to the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the House of Representatives of the F BiH Parliament) initiating the procedure for the election of a new judge of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This will follow after the end of the term of office of Judge Seada Palavrić on 10 November 2024 due to her reaching age 70, pursuant to the provisions of Article VI(1)(c) of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Based on the provisions of Article 99(1) of the Rules of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Revised text (Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 94/14 and 47/23), the President of the Constitutional Court initiates proceedings for electing a new judge in accordance with Article V(1)(a) of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, not later than six months prior to the expiration of the term of office of judge due to his/her age. In accordance with Article 99(3) of the Rules of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Chair of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is informed accordingly, as the judge whose term of office is ending, was elected by this House.
Pursuant to Article VI(1)(b) of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, distinguished jurist of highest moral standing may be elected as judges of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Constitutional Court initiated the proceedings in order to carry out the necessary process in a timely manner as to allow the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to be completely efficient and function in full capacity.
We would like to note that the Constitutional Court initiated the election of a new judge in February 2022 due to the retirement of the President at the time and Judge Mate Tadić. However, the said position of judge has still not been filled even though almost two years have passed.
We therefore call upon the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH to elect new judges to the Constitutional Court without further delay and thus fulfil its obligation arising under the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
