Under the amendments proposed by the said Croat party, office-holders, that is members of parliament, should have immunity from drunken driving charges, abuse of office and even from war crimes charges, according to a statement issued by the Office of the High Representative on Monday.
"I am concerned this is an attempt to get these changes in through the back door, at the last session before the summer break," said the High Representative and EU Special Representative today. "Worse still, it appears that the drafters" intention was to avoid a public debate on the issue."
According to the OHR statement, "Bosnia and Herzegovina"s Law on Immunity - imposed in 2002 - finally made public office-holders accountable for their actions. HDZ proposals to be discussed tomorrow in urgent procedure give parliamentarians the power to exempt their party colleagues from criminal prosecution."
"The current immunity laws have widespread public support and strengthen the integrity of the institutions," said the High Representative.
"I hope parliamentarians realise that the current system of immunity is in their interest; if you are innocent it is better to face your accusers rather than hide behind immunity provisions," the Slovak diplomat was quoted as saying.