The Venice Commission is seriously concerned about a call for resignation issued by the Assembly of Republika Srpska to the Vice-President of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Zlatko Knežević, who is one of the two judges elected by the National Assembly of RS - and also a member of the Venice Commission in respect of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It is a fundamental guarantee of independence of a constitutional court that its members may not be recalled nor replaced, nor asked to resign on political grounds by those who appointed them.
In agreement with and in support of the statement of the Constitutional Court of BiH of 27 April 2023, the Venice Commission therefore urges the Assembly of the Republika Srpska to withdraw its call for the resignation of Vice-President Knežević.
The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina should be able to continue its important work defending democracy, human rights and the rule of law for the benefit of all people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in all parts of the State, without interference."
