LOST IN THE BOSNIAN LABYRINTH. Why the Sejdic-Finci case should not block an EU application
LOST IN THE BOSNIAN LABYRINTH. Why the Sejdic-Finci case should not block an EU application

Author(s): Author Not Specified
Subject(s): Constitutional Law, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
Published by: ESI – European Stability Initiative
Keywords: Dervo Sejdic; Jakob Finci; Bosnian Constitution;
Summary/Abstract: In December 2009 the European Court of Human Rights found – in its judgement in the case Sejdic and Finci vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina – that the constitution and election law of Bosnia and Herzegovina violate the European Convention on Human Rights and its protocols. Bosnia’s laws require that political candidates identify themselves as “Bosniak”, “Croat” or “Serb” in order to be able to run for president or become a member of the upper house of the state parliament. Behind the international interest in this case lies a strong sense of moral outrage. How can a country in today’s Europe prevent a Roma or a Jew from running for head of state? Is this not a racist constitution? || Four years have passed since the ruling. Bosnia’s constitution and election laws have not changed. In December 2010 the Council of the EU told Bosnian leaders that the implementation of the ruling was a condition for a “credible application” for EU membership. Since then, the EU has warned that if the issue is not resolved, it will block the country’s path to the EU.

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