Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 36th Session

PROPOSAL LAW ON OMBUDSMAN AND SUPPLEMENTS LAW ON DISCRIMINATION DEFINED BY CoM 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Law on Ombudsman for Human rights of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the purpose of tis harmonisation with the Paris Principles and recommendations of the UN Committee and Council of Europe.

The new Law on Ombudsman  emphasises the independence of the institution and forbids especially any form of influence to his operations, in addition to advancing the effectiveness in human rights protection and promotion, as well as prevention of torture and other brutal, inhumane and humiliating sanctions or procedures. Simultaneously, an active cooperation is encouraged with NGOs, international organisations, expert bodies and academic community.

Persons form constitutive peoples and others might be selected Ombudsman for a six year mandate and may not be re-selected.

The Headquarters of Ombudsman is in Banja Luka, with branches in Mostar, Sarajevo and hte Brčko District of BIH, and other branches might be set-up, as appropriate.

The Draft Law was prepared by an expert group comprised form representatives of competent State and Entity and Brčko District Ministries, with a participation of EU, OSCE and UNDP representatives, acting as observers.

Proposal Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Ban of Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina was defined, as a part of process of harmonisation with acquis.

The Amendments and Supplements to the Law, in line with relevant directives of the Council of European Union, introduces a ban of discrimination in BIH based on age and disability, and defines harassment as a form of discrimination.

The Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees will provide the separate Proposal Laws to the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly for consideration under basic legislative procedure.

 

ADOPTED REPORT ON REVISED RETURN STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Report of the Ministry for Human Rights and refugees on realisation of a Revised Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Implementation of the Dayton Agreement Annex VII.

According to the Report, the status of displaced persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently with 32,745 families or total 98,324 persons, of which 38.4 are displaced at the territory of the Federation of BIH, and 61.2 in Republika Srpska, and 0.4 per cent in the Brčko District.

Most of displaced persons are in the Tuzla, Srednja Bosa and Sarajevo Cantons, while in Republika Srpska, the major part of displaced persons reside in Banja Luka, and in the area od the Municipalities of Biejljina, Doobj, Modruča, Prijedor and Zvornik.

According to the latest UNHCR estimates, there are  about 21,890 persons outside Bosnia and Herzegovina, still holding the status of refugee.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, rebuilt and reconstructed are more than 340,000 homes. In the last decade, since when the competence for these issues was transferred to BIH authorities, over one billion KM was invested in the return sector, of which about KM 620 million was invested into residential buildings reconstruction , and almost KM 500 million was invested in the complete sustainability measures.

Total costs of realisation of the Revised Strategy for the Dayton Agreement Annex VII Implementation for needs of reconstruction of housing units and basic infrastructure for return purposes was estimated at KM 1.2 billion.

The key objective is still to secure funds for rehabilitation of destroyed or inappropriate housing units for all those meeting criteria for receiving reconstruction assistance for the purpose of return, with favouring the most vulnerable categories.

The Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees will pass the Report to the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly.

 

CoMBIH ADOPTS COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, initiated by the Secretariat-General, to adopt a Revised Communication Strategy of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2016-2018.

The Strategy follows the election term of the incumbent Council of Ministers of BIH and its clearly declared commitment for the European road and increased transparency in operations, and accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Open Government Partnership.

The key Strategy approach are the promotion of transparency in work of the Council of Ministers of BIH, increased accountability in institutional decision-making and strengthening of public support for activities of the Council of Ministers of BIH in general.

A constituent part of the Revised Communication Strategy is the 2016 Communication Action Plan, with a list of activities and their holders and implementation deadlines, to be implemented by the Information Service in cooperation with PRs and competent advisors in the Council of Ministers of BIH.

The Secretariat-General of the Council of Ministers is responsible to take action for setting-up a multimedia conference room for attendance of a larger number of representatives of institutions in BIH not physically present at meetings, which would allow for savings and avoid unnecessary travel.

 

CoMBIH CO-FUNDS 2019 EUROEPAN WINTER OLYMPC YOUTH FESTIVAL

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, proposed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs to allow a multi-year project “Co-Financing of 2019 European Olympic Youth Festival” from 2015 to 2018, in total amount of KM 1.9 million.

This way, the Council of Ministers of BIH co-finances the organisation of the “2019 European Winter Olympic Youth Festival”, and the end-beneficiaries will be cities-organisers Sarajevo and East Sarajevo..

Funds to be allocated in 2015 are in amount of KM 400,000.00, and in 2016-2018 annual allocations of KM 500,000.00 will be secured from the BIH institutions budget.

 

450 HOUSES TO BE RECONSTRUCTED FOR RETURNEES

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Grant Agreement between the Development Bank of Council of Europe (CEB) and Bosnia and Herzegovina BIH IV (2015) within the Regional Housing Programme worth EUR 8,569,651.00.

Total 480 families, with 1,800 beneficiaries, will be accommodated, of which 435 family houses will be reconstructed for return of refugees and internally displaced persons, in addition to 45 houses for internally displaced persons. Domestic contribution ranges to EUR 1,050,720.00.

This, fourth project, will be implemented within a wider regional programme of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Croatia, Montenegro, and Republic of Serbia for permanent housing of 27,000 refugee and displaced families, out of which 5,400 families in BIH.

The Proposal Agreement with Basics for its conclusion will be sent to the BIH Presidency, and the Minister of Finance and Treasury was proposed as the BIH signatory.

 

SUPPORT TO FARMERS TO EXIT TO MARKETS

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Agreement on Financing Rural Competitiveness Development Programme (RCDP) between Bosnia and Herzegovina dn the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) aiming at poverty reduction in rural areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Programme will enable farmers to use fruit, vegetables and secondary forest products sub-sector development for sustainable improvement of their social and economic situation and linking to markets, with simultaneous support t their entry into a supply chain, so that they may become competitive commercial farmers.

The project will be financed by a EUR 11,120,00.00 worth loan, accompanying EUR 470,000.00 grant funds, with allocation to the Federation of BIH in 58 per cent and  Republika Srpska in 42 per cent share, and with 18-year term and three-year grace period.

The Proposal Agreement with Basics for tis conclusion will be sent to the IH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Finance and Treasury was proposed for the BIH signatory.

 

TRY 3.3 MILLION TURKISH GRANT FOR DEFENCE MINISTRY

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined both a Proposal Agreement on military-financial cooperation between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Turkey and Implementation Protocol for financial assistance between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the Republic of Turkey, to be sent to the BIH Presidency, with a proposal for the Minister of Defence of BIH as the BIH signatory.

This TRY 3.3 million worth grant in USD equivalent was provided by the Republic of Turkey for BIH in 2015 for procurement of special purpose industry products.

 

STATE AWARD FOR SPORTS PRESENTED

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision to present State Award for Sports of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2014.

The first award, for lifetime achievement, in amount of KM 8,000 will go to Vahidin Musemić for silver medal won in 1968 at the European Cup with the then Yugoslav national soccer selection. As soccer player with the Football Club Sarajevo, he played in 182 matches and made 83 goals, which classifies him amongst five best club shooters ever.

The second award in amount of KM 7,000 goes to Senior BIH National Selection in Seating Volleyball for a number of medals won in European and world competitions, the latest one being the gold medal from the World championship in seating volleyball, held in Polish city of Elblag in June 2014.

Thanks notes were awarded to the Croatian Sports Club Zrinjski in Mostar, soccer champion in 2014/2015 and participant at the European Champions League, and to Bajro Obuća, holder of several FIDE medals, including FIDE licence as an arbiter with title “International Arbiter” and FIDE licence as a coach with title “FIDE Instructor”, and as a chess player he holds a title of an international master candidate and FIDE rating 2162.

 

MINIMUM FUNDS AMOUNT FOR FOREIGNERS IN BIH KM 150.00 DAILY

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Security, on minimum amount of funds needed for support of foreigners during their intended stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which defines that a foreigner on his entry to BIH has to have at his disposal KM 150.00 or equivalent amount in foreign currency for each day of his intended stay in BIH.

 

TO ENSURE ALL CHILDREN IN BIH COMPLETE TEHIR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION AND TO ENABLE THEM TO CONTINUE SCHOOLING

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of Information of the Ministry of Civil Affairs on application of a Framework Law on Primary and Secondary Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with an emphasis on learning the specific ethnic group of school subjects and mother tongue.

The Information stresses a need for further modernisation and quality improvement of mandatory education, focused at a pupil and development of his knowledge, skills and competences to contribute to facilitated employing and better social inclusion.

The priority is to secure that all children in BIH complete their elementary education and to be enabled to continue schooling and optimal development in their environment and schools respecting human rights and basic freedoms, according to the Constitution and relevant international documents signed by Bosnia and Hercegovina.

 

APPOINTMENTS IN COMPETENCE OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF BIH

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH appointed Josip Merdža for acting Manager of the Institute for Intellectual Property of BIH and released form duty the previous Manager due to expiry of his mandate.

The Civil Service agency of BIH is responsible to start a job vacancy procedure and publish an ad for selection of Manager of the Institute for Intellectual Property of BIH.

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