The objective of the visit was to confirm intention and readiness of the two constitutional courts, within the scope of the professional cooperation, to exchange the best practices of the constitutional judiciary in general and in particular relating to the rule of law and protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Within the planned program of the two-day working visit, the judges of the constitutional courts will present professional papers, discuss and exchange views and experiences on the following topics, as agreed upon by the two courts as being useful and significant:
1. Effect of the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights on the application of European standards in the national legislation
2. Securing rule of law and democracy – the role of the constitutional courts
On behalf of the Constitutional Court of Republic of Austria, the working session will be attended by the Vice-President of the Constitutional Court of Republic of Austria, University professor, Prof Ddr. Christoph Grabenwarter and Judges of the Constitutional Court of Republic of Austria Dr. Claudia Kahr, University professor, Prof Dr. Wolfgang Brandstetter (former Vice-Chancellor), University professor, Prof Dr. Georg Lienbacher, Secretary General Ddr. Stefan Frank, Head of the Protocol Dr. Reinhild Huppmann and Deputy Head of the Protocol Marianne Bruckmüller, MA.
Cooperation and exchange of views with the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Austria that boasts such a long tradition, is very significant, all the more so, as a tradition of constitutional justice through institution of the constitutional court as a separate constitutional authority in Europe in general was introduced by way of founding of the Constitutional Court of Austria in 1919 or more precisely in 1920.
In that regard, Bosnia and Herzegovina can pride itself with a significant tradition of constitutional justice that dates back to 1964.