Publisher: Fondacija Centar za javno pravo

Judiciary and Religious Features: Challenge and Perspectives

Pravosuđe i vjerska obilježja: izazov i perspektive

Author(s): Branko Perić / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: Public law; judiciary; BiH; religion; religious symbols; religious features; challanges; perspectives; VSTV; normative framework;

The author analyzes the conclusion of an independent regulator of the Judicial System in Bosnia and Herzegovina prohibiting the display of religious symbols for judicial function holders and employees of judicial institutions, referring to the national and international regulatory framework as well as the judicial practice of European Court of Human Rights and national courts. Pointing to the controversy of the conclusion and lack of regulation, the author proposes that the limitations concerning the use of religious symbols be extended to the prosecutorial part of the judicial system, but leaves the possibility that a part of the administrative staff, which has no direct link with the courtroom, be exempted from the prohibition by the courts as well as a part of staff in the prosecutor's offices, which does not participate in the exercise of prosecutorial powers. In terms of manifestation of religious feelings during working hours, the author proposes that a ban be imposed, by law, for all employees in the Judicial System as to ensure that judicial institution function is unhindered and religiously neutral.

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Legal Editing of the Legal Position of Churches and Religious Communities in the Republic of Serbia: From Contestation to Improvement

Zakonsko uređivanje pravnog položaja crkava i verskih zajednica u Republici Srbiji: od osporavanja do unapređivanja

Author(s): Vladimir Đurić / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Public law; religion; church; religious communities; autonomy; legal framework; Republic of Serbia; constitution; Constitutional court; Law on churches and Religious Communities;

This article is prepared as a contribution to comprehensive review of the legal framework for the status of churches and religious communities in Serbia. The author analyzes the main legal provisions, as well as challenges and dilemmas regarding the constitutionality of the Law on churches and Religious Communities, with particular reference to the decision of the Constitutional Court on the constitutionality of that Act. Although the author concludes that the statutory provisions are fully in accordance with the Constitution, he proposes a few measures to improve the legislative framework.

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Application of the legal principles in the decisions of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Croatia

Primjena pravnih načela u odlukama Vrhovnog suda Republike Hrvatske

Author(s): Jadranko Jug / Language(s): Croatian

Keywords: Public law; constitution; legal principles; Supreme court; Republic of Croatia; application; evaluation;

Pravna načela kao općeprihvaćeni pravni standardi koriste se u obrazloženjima odluka VSRH kao najvišeg suda u RH, i time čine sastavni dio pravnih stajališta i sudske prakse koju stvara VSRH. Iako pravna načela u pravnom sustavu RH nisu formalni izvor prava, kao dio obrazloženja odluka VSRH, snagom argumenata i autoritetom VSRH koji izražava svoja pravna shvaćanja u svojim odlukama, postaju prihvaćeni od strane sudova i time neformalni izvor prava koji se primjenjuje u praksi. Pravna načela koja se primjenjuju u praksi sudova u RH možemo sa stajališta njihove primjene u praksi primarno podijeliti na opća i posebna pravna načela. Kriterij za takvu podjelu je da li se neko pravno načelo može primijeniti u svim ili većini sudskih postupaka ili samo u određenim vrstama postupaka i sporova. Pravna načela u praksi VSRH primjenjuju se većinom dopunski uz određenu pravnu normu koja se primjenjuje u konkretnom sporu, a rjeđe se primjenjuje direktno i isključivo bez navođenja pravne norme, posebno u slučaju pravnih praznina. Kao izvori općih pravnih načela koja se primjenjuju u odlukama VSRH navode se međunarodni ugovori (Konvencija) i Ustav RH te praksa Ustavnog suda RH i ESLJP, a kod posebnih pravnih načela navode se posebni zakoni koji propisuju konkretno pravno načelo. Primjena pravnih načela u odlukama VSRH je prisutna, ali se može zaključiti da je ta primjena još uvijek prije iznimka nego pravilo. Smatram da će ubuduće primjena pravnih načela u odlukama VSRH biti učestalija zbog primjene EU prava i pod utjecajem Ustavnog suda RH i ESLJP.

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Patient Position in the Republic of Serbia: Public Law Mechanisms and their Protection

Pozicija pacijenata u Republici Srbiji: javnopravni mehanizmi i njihova zaštita

Author(s): Hajrija Mujović / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Public law; constitution; legislation; healthcare; patient; position; Republic of Serbia; protection;

In Serbia, the right to health care is proclaimed and guaranteed by the Constitution and this right should be understood as immaterial subjective right, which occurs at birth and ends with death of each person. On the basis of this right a citizen may request a specific acting in the interest of its health by authorized carriers of health activities which are numerous and obligate to the scope of its activities, provide medical assistance. In theory is pointed out that the patient has an abstract right on protection of health care, which may be converted into its subjective rights only if it enters into concrete relationships with physicians and medical institutions. Also, a general obligation of medical institutions that provide health care that can only be concretized through appropriate legal relationship with it.

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HJPC protects the rights of BiH citizens

VSTV brani prava građana BiH

Author(s): Valentin Inzko / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: VSTV; HJPC; BiH; judiciary; constitution; rights and freedoms; BiH; 10 years; work; evaluation;

Danas se možemo osvrnuti na produktivni, desetogodišnji rad Visokog sudskog i tužilačkog vijeća Bosne i Hercegovine na podizanju standarda stručnosti, transparentnosti i efikasnosti u pravnoj profesiji u cijeloj zemlji. Ipak, djelovanje VSTV-a i dalje je imperativ – jer, nakon godina napretka, opet smo svjedoci antagonizma među nekim interesnim grupama prema temeljnom konceptu pravosudne nepristrasnosti i vladavine prava…

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Rationale of the proposal of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH to amend the Law on HJPC BiH

Obrazloženje prijedloga Visokog sudskog i tužilačkog vijeća BiH za izmjene Zakona o VSTV-u BiH

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: HJPC law; BiH; suggestion; rationale; VSTV; HCPJ; changes; amendment;

Aktivnosti Visokog sudskog i tužilačkog vijeća BiH (u daljem tekstu: Vijeće ili VSTV BiH) na pripremi prijedloga izmjena i dopuna Zakona o VSTV-u započete su osnivanjem Radne grupe za pripremu prijedloga izmjena Zakona o VSTV-u koja je, u periodu novembar 2010. - mart 2012. godine, održala više sastanaka na kojima su razmatrana ključna pitanja i definisani odgovarajući stavovi i prijedlozi izmjena postojećeg okvira u kojem funkcioniše VSTV BiH.

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Realization of social rights in BiH: inequality of citizens

Ostvarivanje socijalnih prava u BiH: nejednakost građana

Author(s): Nikolina Obradović / Language(s): Croatian

Keywords: Public law; constitution; social protection; social rights; people with disabilities; disability protection; disability insurance; human rights; BiH; FBiH; RS;

The article analyzes the issue of achieving social rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the amount of cash benefits for people with disabilities in accordance with Entity regulations on social security, veteran - disability protection, protection of civilian victims of war, and pension and disability insurance. In fact, despite the constitutional provisions on guaranteeing social rights and prohibition of discrimination, and international commitments of the state and all levels of governments, which have become valid upon entry into force of the UN Convention on the Rights of disabled persons, and other international legal documents pertaining to insure social rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the most vivid example of inequality is visible in the treatment of persons with disabilities by the government. This inequality is reflected in set conditions and the amount of cash benefits, as well as other rights guaranteed which is done in accordance with cause of disability, but should be done according to estimate of needs of persons with disabilities (regardless of the cause of the disability) for more effective inclusion in society.

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Supreme Court of BiH - between politics and law

Vrhovni sud BiH – između politike i prava

Author(s): Branko Perić / Language(s): Croatian

Keywords: Public law; constitution; Constitutional court; Supreme Court; necessity; BiH; politics; law; jurisdiction; government; entities;

According to the Dayton Agreement the regular judiciary in BiH is within the jurisdiction of theEntities. Entity judicial systems are autonomous and conceptually well-rounded. The state levelhas an effective functioning judicial system designed in a form of a Prosecutor's Office and theCourt of BiH. It is not clear what jurisdiction could the Supreme Court in BiH have within theexisting concept.This concept of a state judicial system lacks an independent Appellate Court and that can beconsidered the most serious problem of the judicial system today. Possible jurisprudenceproblems in the current system are dealt with through joint sessions held by the Supreme Courtsof the Entities and Brčko District Appellate Court.Establishment of the Supreme Court would require a completely new configuration ofjurisdiction. This would involve redesigning the organizational and other laws at all levels and anew round of comprehensive judicial sector reforms.The judicial system is currently in cycle of reform undertaken in accordance with the existingconcept. A new reform cycle could affect the effectiveness of that reform. At this point it couldthreaten the achieved efficiency level.The system that underwent reform needs to be stabilized through patient harmonization of entitylaws and building of the best professional and ethical standards in order to create goodconditions for a new reform.

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Opinion of the Venetian Commission on Legal Security and Justice Independence in BiH - an overview

Mišljenje Venecijanske komisije o pravnoj sigurnosti i nezavisnosti pravosuđa u BiH - prikaz

Author(s): Adrijana Hanušić / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: Public law; constitution; Constitutional court; judiciary; independence; legal security; overview; Venetian Commission;

Venecijanska Komisija se na kraju ovog Mišljenja stavila na raspolaganje Evropskoj komisiji i institucijama u BiH za dalju podršku koju bi eventualno trebali. Primarni zadatak Venecijanske komisije, koja ima status savjetodavnog tijela Vijeća Evrope o ustavnim pitanjima, jeste pomoć i savjetovanje pojedinih država o tim pitanjima s ciljem poboljšanja funkcionisanja demokratskih institucija, poštivanja vladavine prava i zaštite ljudskih prava. Značaj nalaza i zaključaka iz ovog Mišljenja je već vidljiv iz preporuka koje je Evropska komisija formulisala povodom Trećeg sastanka Strukturiranog dijaloga s BiH, održanog u julu 2012. u Mostaru, koje se značajnim dijelom naslanjaju i referiraju na ovo Mišljenje. Pored toga, Evropska komisija u zaključnim razmatranjima o onome što treba uslijediti nakon tog sastanka hvali rad Venecijanske komisije koji je doveo do usvajanja ovog Mišljenja i „očekuje od svih nadležnih organa da razmotre detaljnu stručnu ocjenu pruženu o nekoliko ključnih područja diljem Mišljenja“. Preporuke u ovom prikazu predstavljenog Mišljenja o pravnoj sigurnosti i nezavisnosti pravosuđa u Bosni i Hercegovini će stoga igrati bitnu ulogu u daljem procesu reforme pravosuđa koji očekuje Bosnu i Hercegovinu.

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Analysis of the Proposal on Sejdić-Finci Verdict

Analiza prijedloga povodom presude Sejdić-Finci

Author(s): Adi Džamalija / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: Public law; ethnic minorities; judiciary; Sejdić-Finci; verdict; proposal ; analysis;

Parlamentarna skupština Bosne i Hercegovine je osnovala Privremenu zajedničku komisiju oba doma za provođenje presude Evropskog suda za ljudska prava u Strazburu u predmetu Sejdić i Finci protiv BiH, koja se sastoji od 13 članova. Komisija je počela sa radom 13. oktobra 2011. godine.

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Relations between the media in Federation of BiH and the judiciary: a case of a government crisis in (Federation) B & H 2012-2013.

Odnos medija u Federaciji BiH prema pravosuđu: slučaj krize vlasti u (Federaciji) BiH 2012-2013.

Author(s): Bodo Weber / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: Public law; constitution; Constitutional Court; media; reporting; BiH; judiciary; government crisis; government; 2012; 2013;

Dem Verhältnis der Medien zur Arbeit der Justiz kommt eine entscheidende Bedeutung für das Funktionieren des Justizwesens bzw. des Rechtsstaats insgesamt in einem demokratischen politischen Gemeinwesen zu. Verschiedene internationale Deklarationen wie die gemeinsame Bordeaux declaration des Consultative Council of European Judges und des Consultative Council of European Prosecutors aus dem Jahr 2009 oder die aus dem Jahr 1994 stammenden Madrid principles on the relationship between the media and judicial independence der bei der UN angelagerten International Commission of Jurists haben die Relevanz dieses Verhältnisses unterstrichen und versucht, internationale Standards zu definieren. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht das Verhältnis der Medien zur Justiz, d.i. die Berichterstattung der Medien über die Justiz bzw. zum Rechtsstaat in weiteren Sinne in der Föderation von Bosnien und Herzegowina - der größeren der beiden sub-staatlichen Entitäten des Staats Bosnien-Herzegowina. Beleuchtet wird dieses Verhältnis anhand der sich verkomplizierenden politischen und institutionellen Beziehungen nach den allgemeinen Wahlen vom Oktober 2010. In dieser Zeit entwickelt sich ein permanenter politischer Kampf zwischen den parlamentarischen Parteien aus der Föderation um die Regierungs(um)bildung auf allen staatlichen Ebenen (gesamtstaatliche, Föderations- und kantonale Ebene). Dieser Kampf verlagert sich zusehends aus der politischen in die juristische Arena, eine Entwicklung infolgederen es zu einer zunehmenden Politisierung des Verhältnisses der politischen Parteien zu den Institutionen des Rechtsstaats kommt. Der Konflikt erreicht seinen Höhepunkt nach dem Zerfall der sog. SechserKoalition auf staatlicher Ebene und dem gleichzeitigem Zerfall der sog. Plattform-Koalition in der Föderation von Bosnien-Herzegowina im Frühjahr 2012. Ich Versuch der Sozialdemokratischen Partei Bosnien-Herzegowinas (SDP) einerseits, ihren bisherigen Partner, die Partei der Demokratischen Aktion (SDA) aus den bestehenden Koalitionen auf allen Ebenen zu drängen und durch einen neuen Partner zu ersetzen, und dem Widerstand der SDA gegen dieses Unterfangen andererseits, bedienen sich beide Seiten unterschiedlicher Interpretationen zur Verfügung stehender rechtlicher Mittel. Diese reichen von der Interpretation der Geschäftsordnungen von Parlamenten und Regierungen, über das Einlegen von Vetos durch die Berufung auf die vermeintlichen Bedrohung sog. „vitaler nationaler Interessen“ bis hin zur Anrufung der Verfassungsgerichte der Föderation bzw. des Staates Bosnien-Herzegowina. Anhand von sechs ausgewählten case studies aus dem beschriebenen politisch-juristischen Kontext untersucht der Autor mithilfe der Methoden der qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse und der qualitativen Medienanalyse die Berichterstattung von Printmedien aus der Föderation über die Arbeit der Justiz. Neben der allgemeinen Untersuchung der Qualität und Art der Berichterstattung der einzelnen Medien vergleicht er dabei u.a. auch die rechtliche Argumentation der ausgewählten Zeitungen im jeweils konkreten Fall mit der der politischen Konfliktparteien. Die Untersuchung der ausgewählten Beispiele zeigt, dass die Berichterstattung weitgehend den behandelten parteipolitischen Konflikt sowie die politisch eingefärbte Sicht von Repräsentaten der politischen Parteien und ihrer Vertreter in der Föderation auf die Arbeit der Justizbehörden sowie auf das Rechtssystem im breiteren Sinne widerspiegelt. Damit gelingt es der Studie auf indirekte Weise, die enge Verflechtung von (Partei)Politik und Medien in der Föderation Bosnien-Herzegowinas nachzuweisen. Diese Verflechtung ist zu einem bedeutenden Teil dafür verantwortlich, dass das Verhältnis von Medien und Justiz in der Föderation weit hinter den Standard eines solchen Verhältnisses in entwickelten Demokratien zurückfällt. Es stellt eine nicht unerhebliche Belastung für das Funktionieren des Justizwesens und des Rechtsstaats insgesamt in der Föderation Bosnien-Herzegowinas insgesamt dar.

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Military discipline in the legal state: Silent leges inter arm?

Vojna disciplina u pravnoj državi: Silent leges inter arma?

Author(s): Živorad Rašević / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Public law; constitution; legislation; legal framework; Armed Forces; BiH; military efficiency; military discipline; EU legislation; human rights; evaluation;

In this article, the legal framework for the disciplinary repression within the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina is subjected to criticism, using dogmatic, historical, sociological, philosophical and comparative methods of the legal science. Doubts which concerns the legal nature of this institution, framing it within administrative, criminal and labor law, are resolved in the context of a professional military organization, in favour of the latest. Starting from the prevailing labour nature of military discipline, it was concluded that this framework does not provide minimum procedural guarantees under Articles 5, 6 and 13 of the (European) Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and detected the substantial and technical shortcomings that compromise the legal certainty. Suggested solutions to overcome the present situation, in terms of reform of the legal framework, comprise of legislation that would regulate this issue thoroughly, institutional guarantees of independence and impartiality of the Armed Force's Legal Service and establishment of the military justice core, in order to protect the human rights of members of the Armed Forces in a way that does not compromise military efficiency.

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State Property Issue in BiH - Is There a Solution?

Pitanje državne imovine u BiH – postoji li rješenje?

Author(s): Ena Gotovuša / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: Public law; constitution; Constitutional Court; BiH; RS; FBiH; entities; state property; EU accession; constitutionality; international law;

The solution of the issue of state property is one of the conditions for further progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina regards European integration. For the purpose of better understanding the issues of distribution of state property, the chronology of attempts/failures in reaching the agreement between the competent authorities has been presented, as well as unilateral entity attempts to solve the same issue. The role of the international community is presented as well, including the Office of the High Representative for B&H. The present analyses focuses onto a series of arguments why the Law on the status of the state property on the territory of RS and which is banned from disposal is in contradiction with the Constitution of B&H. The decision of the Constitutional Court of B&H should offer the final solution to this issue and, consequently, remove the doubts concerning the right of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina to dispose with its property with no restrictions.

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Regional organization in the Republic of Croatia, problems and perspectives

Područno ustrojstvo u Republici Hrvatskoj, problemi i perspektiva

Author(s): Nives Kopajtich-Škrlec / Language(s): Croatian

Keywords: Public law; constitution; Republic of Croatia; territorial setup; local government; regional government; history;

The article reviews the territorial setup of the Republic of Croatia since the transition to the new local government system based on rights, obligations and self-autonomy of local and regional governments, established in 1992, until today. What has been constantly announced since 1992 to today, are the reforms and shifts in the local government setup which would enable more quality provision of public services and performance of all tasks within the local government scope of autonomy, as well as the abandonment of these plans and intentions. The fact is that since local government has been introduced in Croatia, much progress and movements have been seen even on the territory that had long been considered as unperspective. On the other hand, the fact remains that a certain number of municipalities truly does not have any perspective at all. Some open questions are still present - what are the next steps, in what direction should the reduction of the number of municipalities go, should the number of municipalities be reduced and municipalities be adjoined to the cities, and what would be the effects of such actions. Regardless of the consent of proffesionals and politicans and their general commitment to reforms, the basic question is how to make and lead municipalities to cooperate and establish joint administrative bodies; and concentrate and unite their potentials for the common good, since mere reduction of their number will not solve their problems, but on the contrary, multiply them.

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Disciplinary Liability of Judges in the Republic of Serbia in Regulations and Practice: an overview of legal solutions, the most common causes of accountability and circumstances that led to an increased number of disciplinary offenses

Disciplinska odgovornost sudija u Republici Srbiji u regulativi i praksi: prikaz zakonskih rešenja, najčešćih razloga odgovornosti i okolnosti koje su dovele do povećanog broja procesuiranja disciplinskih prekršaja

Author(s): Smilja Spasojević / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Public law; constitution; judiciary; judges; liability; legislation; practices; disciplinary offense; disciplinary procedure; Republic of Serbia;

Sistem disciplinske odgovornosti u Republici Srbiji je u potpunosti zaživeo zato što su zakonskim propisima u potpunosti regulisani svi instituti – disciplinski prekršaji, disicplinski organi, disciplinske sankcije, pravila postupka. Takođe, kompletno su konstituisani disciplinski organi, na koji način je obezbeđen sistem postupanja po disciplinskim prijavama, kao i dvostepenost postupka. Na osnovu sprovedenih postupaka, kao i na osnovu navoda iz podnetih prijava, došlo se do zaključka šta su najveći problemi u srpskom pravosuđu. Disciplinski tužioc je ukazao na probleme u postupanju sudija u izvršnim odeljenjima osnovnih sudova, zbog velike opterećenosti predmetima. U parničnim odeljenjima postupci dugo traju, što se zaključuje po broju podnetih prijava. Takođe, dugo traju drugostepeni postupci u radnim sporovima. Uočeno je da i samo podnošenje disciplinske prijave utiče na rad sudija u smislu da oni koriguju odnos prema učesnicima u postupku. Na ovo ukazuju podnesci podnosilaca prijava, koji nakon izjašnjenja sudije, više nemaju primedbi na njegov rad. Sve navedeno ukazuje na preventivni značaj rada disciplinskih organa i da samo stavljanje u izgled eventualnog vođenja postupka, utiče na sudije da otklone nedostatke u radu. Takođe, korektivno utiče i nekoliko primera sprovedenih postupaka razrešenja sudija i procesuiranih slučajeva sa izrečenim disciplinskim sankcijama. U pripremi je novi Pravilnik o disciplinskom postupku i disciplinskoj odgovornosti, koji neće doneti suštinske promene, već se njim nastoje otkloniti neki uočeni nedostaci: produženje mandata disciplinskim organima, stroži uslovi za njihovo imenovanje, uspostavljanje kontrole podnetog predloga od strane Komisije, pokušaj da se nađe pravednije rešenje u slučaju podnošenja predloga za razrešenje i slično. Takođe, ocena uspešnosti sprovedenih disciplinskih postupaka biće cenjena kada uslede odluke Upravnog suda, u postupcima koji su pokrenuti po tužbama na donete odluke VSS, kada će se videti sudbina disciplinskih predmeta koji su prošli sudsku zaštitu. Iz svega ovog proizilazi da se sprovođenjem disciplinskih postupaka otklanjaju nedostaci u personalnom postupanju sudija, ali i otkrivaju gorući problemi u funkcionisanju srpskog pravosuđa. Ove prve probleme je mnogo lakše rešiti jer su tu mere i specijalne i generalne prevencije, za koje je već jasno da deluju na nosioce sudijske funkcije. Sistemski nagomilani problemi – u pogledu nedovoljnog broja sudija, neravnomerne opterećenosti predmetima, neodgovarajućih uslova rada, nedovoljnog broja pratećeg sudskog osoblja, nedostatka kvalitetne i kontinuirane edukacije sudija i još mnogo toga, ne mogu se rešiti tako brzo i tako lako, ali je samo bitno da se otkloni uvreženo shvatanje da svi nedostaci u pravosuđu potiču od nepravilnog rada sudija.

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Law on Environmental Protection in Serbia: existing solutions and directions for novelization

Zakon o zaštiti životne sredine u Srbiji: postojeća rešenja i pravci noveliranja

Author(s): Mirjana Drenovak-Ivanović / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Public law; environment; Law on Environmental Protection; international conventions; EU legislation; genetic modification; GMO; supervision; Republic of Serbia;

After the Law on Environmental Protection had been adopted in 2004, a number of special laws came into force and a number of important international conventions were adopted. In the meantime, the Law on Environmental Protection was amended, but it did not bring a satisfactory level of consistency between the Law on Environmental Protection and new legislative acts. This paper analyzes the disadvantages of the Law on Environmental Protection that have occurred during the eight years of its implementation. In addition, the paper points out the possible solutions and directions that could be made in order to change those disadvantages and harmonize the Law on Environmental Protection with the EU legislation. This paper analyzes the terms in the Law on Environmental Protection and their relations with the terms stipulated by special laws, the consequences of the lack of legal definition of environmental information, the importance to stipulate principle of protection from negative effects of GMO and the importance of establishing environmental inspection in the organizational and functional sense by this framework Law.

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The influence of legislative authority on the jurisdiction of the State Prosecutorial Council and the High Court Council in the Republic of Serbia through history

Istorijat uticaja zakonodavne vlasti na nadležnosti Državnog veća tužilaca i Visokog saveta sudstva u Republici Srbiji

Author(s): Lazar Lazović / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Serbia; judiciary; State Prosecutorial Council; influence; jurisdiction; High Court Council; history; Constitutional Court;

The State Prosecutorial Council and the High Court Council were proscribed for the first time in the Constitutional Act from 2006. According to that legal act, they had dominant role in the process of election of new prosecutors and judges. These provisions were good base, and it seemed like the fundamental principles were made in that important field and that in future they will be improved in the way to minimize the political influences. In the meantime, the legislative authority made special intervenings, regarding the recruitment and appointment of new judges and prosecutors, in the Law on Judicial Academy, Law on Judges and Law on Public Prosecution Office. They destablized the constitutional jurisdiction of the State Prosecutorial Council and the High Court Council in the way that they tried to define the sort of candidates that had the exclusive right of access to the career of a judge or a prosecutors, and after that to establish privileges for one small group – the beneficiaries of initial trainings, that are organized by the Judicial Academy. The content of these legal attempts, concrete provisions, their influence on the process of selection the candidates of the most important judicial functions and the decisions of the Constitutional Court, which refer to this field are the analized in this paper.

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Are the functions of the Head of the State and the President of the political party incompatible? - Constitutional position of the President of the Republic of Serbia

Da li su inkompatibilne funkcije šefa države i predsednika političke stranke – ustavnopravni položaj predsednika Republike Srbije?

Author(s): Dejan A. Milić / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Head of the State; President of the political party; Constitutional position of the President; Republic of Serbia; governance functions;

Government authority in contemporary parliamentary democracies is based on the principle of the division of power, which ensures that none of the three branches of authority extend beyond the constitutionally established barriers, at the expense of other branches of authority. Such a functioning of government authority is ensured by the mechanism which is referred to as ‘brakes and equilibrium’, with the help of which the legislative, executive and judicial powers are controlled and limited by one another. One constitutional brake is the institution of incompatibility of state functions with other public functions and professional activities. Due to the central position in the system of state authority, the position of the head of state is particularly significant. The achieved constitutional standard is the absolute incompatibility of the function of the head of state with other public functions and professional activities. This protects not only the principle of dividing the authority, but also the integrity of the bearer of the function. The great attention of the comparative constitutional theory is drawn to the incompatibility of the head of state and the head of the political party. In theory, one attitude prevails that the head of state should be banned to exercise the function of the head of the party by constitution, so as not to jeopardize the position of the parliament and the government. The starting point of this work is that being the head of state and the head of the political party at the same time, by itself, does not pose a threat to the division of authority, if the constitution is respected.

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Proposal of the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in the Institutions of B&H and the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in the Republic of Croatia - Comparison with Emphasis on Bodies Responsible for Action

Prijedlog Zakona o sprječavanju sukoba interesa u institucijama BiH i Zakon o sprječavanju sukoba interesa u RH - usporedba s naglaskom na tijelima nadležnim za postupanje

Author(s): Majda Uzelac / Language(s): Croatian

Keywords: BiH; Croatia; Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest; public law; comparison;

The proposal to establish the Commission as an independent body represents a positive shift and an understanding of society on the need to find an adequate body in whose jurisdiction is an essential element in preventing corruption. Although conflict of interest is only one element in the prevention of corruption, it encompasses different forms of situations and actions of public officials with the highest corruption risk, which are not covered by criminal law, and therefore requires serious approach to these circumstances. The requirement extends to the need for a separate independent body, the competence of which would entail considering such circumstances and pointing to them. The results of each body acting within the scope of whose competence are different measures and ways of combating corruption, their synergistic effect, and the results of the Commission or the Commission for Conflict of Interest may be diminished, if there is no clearly expressed political will and public condemnation of every manifest form of corruption, but also public condemnation of every identified conflict of interest that precedes it. In conclusion, in order to achieve social condemnation and zero tolerance for all forms of corruption, including situations of unresolved conflicts of interest, it is necessary to develop awareness among public office holders and all those parts of the state and social system that should control them, about what a conflict of interest is, how to identify it, and how to properly manage it. Raising such a level of awareness and promoting good and desirable conduct in the exercise of public office is a primary responsibility and obligation of both the Commission envisaged by the Bill on Prevention of Conflict of Interests in the government institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Commission for Conflict of Interest in the Republic of Croatia.

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Research on the perception of holders of judicial functions on the functionality of the association of judges and prosecutors in Bosnia and Herzegovina and their contribution to reform processes - key findings

Istraživanje percepcije nosilaca pravosudnih funkcija o funkcionalnosti udruženja sudija i tužilaca u Bosni i Hercegovini i njihovog doprinosa u reformskim procesima - ključni nalazi

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: perception of holders of judicial functions; association of judges and prosecutors; BiH; contribution to reform process;

Istraživanje percepcije nosilaca pravosudnih funkcija o funkcionalnosti i doprinosu reformskim procesima udruženja sudija i tužilaca u Bosni i Hercegovini (Istraživanje) omogućava preliminarni uvid u osnovnu problematiku u funkcionisanju i opštem doprinosu strukovnih, pravosudnih udruženja reformskim procesima u zemlji. Tematika je prethodno obrađivana na okruglim stolovima i kroz redovne sastanke udruženja, te se nalazi ovog Istraživanja, u velikoj mjeri podudaraju sa mišljenjima i stavovima tamo iznesenim. Kroz 30 ciljanih pitanja, podjeljenih u dva dijela, funkcionalnost-reformski doprinos, Istraživanje ukazuje na potrebu unaprijeđenja procesa rada unutar udruženja, protoka informacija prvenstveno sa članstvom, ali i među udruženjima, aktivnog angažmana članova, te niza drugi, operativnih aktivnosti čijim unaprijeđenjem bi došlo do uvećanog doprinosa udruženja pravosudnoj zajednici u BiH.

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