Over at Teekay’s

From a press release of 10 March by the Council of Europe, a human-rights watchdog:

The efficiency and rationality of current constitutional arrangements in Bosnia and Herzegovina, resulting from the Dayton Peace Agreement, are the subject of a comprehensive document to be adopted by the [Venice] Commission [1]. This opinion will outline major changes required if the country wants to make further progress, and examine whether the present practice of decisions by the High Representative is compatible with European standards. A further opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina concerns the responsibility of the United Nations for the dismissal of former police officers.

I’m wondering whether this might have anything to do with the recent formation by the Office of the High Representative (OHR) of an internal commission to review decisions to remove local officials?

HIGH REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCES REVIEW OF DISMISSAL OF BOSNIAN OFFICALS. High Representative Paddy Ashdown told a news conference on 4 March that his office is to begin reviewing its decisions to remove officials from office or participation in public life for obstructing the peace process and the administration as a whole between 1998 and 2003, according to a statement by Ashdown’s office. Ashdown stressed that initially only a very small number of sacked officials will be included in the process. During the review, it will be asked whether the removed officials are likely to obstruct the administration again and whether the reasons for their removal are still in place. The review process does not pertain to decisions to remove officials taken by SFOR, EUFOR, or the UN police forces, Ashdown said (“RFE/RL Balkan Report,” 21 January 2005). UB
Source: RFE/RL NEWSLINE Vol. 9, No. 43, Part II, 7 March 2005

Just a wild guess. The Venice Commission will meet on 11-12 March; the OHR announcement came on 4 March.

Instead of having his knuckles rapped, the High Rep can now say, “Oh, we’re aware of the need to be accountable and have already, without any pressure, formed a panel to ensure that all dismissals were appropriate and legal.”

Expect immediate reinstatements soon!

[1] The Venice Commission is an advisory body reviewing constitutional issues arising in COE member states. These guys sure know how to enjoy life — why not the “Hull Commission” or the “Essen Commission?”

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