Constitution of the
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina


 
Holding that democratic institutions, based on respect for human rights and freedoms best produce harmony among themselves and their communities,

Rejecting the violence of war,

Wishing to contribute to peace promotion,

Desiring to support individual liberty and to develop a free market,

Guided by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human rights and the General Framework Agreement on Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Annexes.

Bosniacs, Croats and Serbs as constituent peoples, along with Others, and citizens of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a constitutive part of the sovereign state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, determined to ensure full national equality, democratic relations and the highest standards of human rights and freedoms, hereby pass the Constitution of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.



(1) The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the two entities composing the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has all powers, competence and responsibilities which do not, according to the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, fall within the exclusive competence of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(2) Bosniacs, Croats and Serbs as constituent peoples, along with Others, and citizens of the Federation of BiH, shall equally organise the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, defined in Annex II to the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.


The Federation consists of federal units (Cantons). The methods and procedures for physically demarking the boundaries between the Cantons shall be established by Federation legislation. The Cantons shall be named solely after the cities which are the seats of the respective Cantonal governments or after regional geographic features.


The official name of the Federation is The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.


The capital of the Federation shall be Sarajevo.


(1) The Federation shall have a flag, an anthem, a coat of arms, and a seal, as well as such symbols as the Legislature may decide in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2) Approval of symbols shall require a majority vote in each House of the Legislature, including in the House of Peoples a majority of the Bosniac Delegates and a majority of the Croat Delegates.


(1) The official languages of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be: Bosnian language, Croat language and Serb language. The official scripts shall be Latin and Cyrillic.

(2) Other languages may be used as a means of communication and instruction.




As the principles, rights and freedoms specified in ARTICLE II of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina are to be applied throughout the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the following provisions govern the Federation.


The Federation will ensure the application of the highest level of internationally recognized rights and freedoms provided in the documents listed in the Annex to the Constitution. In particular:

(1) All persons within the territory of the Federation shall enjoy the rights:


(2) All citizens shall enjoy the rights:


All refugees and displaced persons have the right to freely return to their homes of origin.


All persons shall have the right, in accordance with Annex VII to the General Framework Agreement for Peace, to have restored to them any property of which they have been deprived  in the course of ethnic cleansing and hostilities since 1991 and rights to be refunded for all their property that cannot be returned.. All statements and obligations made under duress, particularly those relating to the relinquishment of rights to land or property, shall be null and void.

The exercise of the right specified in item I of this ARTICLE shall be regulated by Federal legislation.


The acquisition and termination of citizenship of the Federation of BH shall be regulated by Federation legislation, provided that:

(a) No person shall be deprived of citizenship arbitrarily or in such a way as to leave him or her stateless.

(b) No persons can be deprived of the Federation citizenship on any ground such as sex, race, color, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status;

(c) All citizens of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, are citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and, according to the citizenship conditions prescribed by the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina,  have the right to hold citizenship of another state.


All courts, administrative agencies and other governmental organs of the Federation shall apply and conform to the rights and freedoms provided in the instruments listed in the Annex. A Court of Human Rights shall be established in accordance with ARTICLE IV.C.16. 


All competent authorities in the Federation shall cooperate with any international human rights monitoring mechanisms established for Bosnia and Herzegovina and with the supervisory bodies established by any of the instruments listed in the Annex. 

B. The Ombudsmen of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

1. General Provisions


(1) There shall be three Ombudsmen appointed by the Federation Parliament in accordance with Federation law. One Ombudsman shall be appointed from among each of the constituent peoples. 


(1) The Ombudsmen are to protect human dignity, rights, and liberties as provided in the Constitution, in the instruments listed in the Annex thereto, and in the constitutions of the Cantons. In particular, they shall act to reverse the consequences of the violations of these rights and liberties and especially of ethnic cleansing. 

(2) In carrying out their functions, the Ombudsmen must be guided by law and by the principles of morality and justice.


Each Ombudsman shall exercise his functions individually, except as otherwise provided herein. Two or more Ombudsmen may cooperate in carrying out any of their functions.


The Ombudsmen are independent in carrying out their functions, and no person or governmental organ may interfere with such functions.

2. The Competence and the Powers of the Ombudsmen


The Ombudsmen may examine the activities of any institution of the Federation, Canton, or Municipality, as well as of any institution or person by whom human dignity, rights, or liberties may be negated, including by accomplishing ethnic cleansing or preserving its effects.


(1) An Ombudsman is entitled to initiate proceedings in competent courts and to intervene in pending proceedings.

(2) As provided for in ARTICLE IV.C.8, an Ombudsman is entitled to receive the assistance of the Judicial Police.


(1) In carrying out his functions an Ombudsman may examine all official documents, including secret ones, as well as judicial and administrative files and require any person (including any official) to cooperate, in particular by providing relevant information, documents, and files. Ombudsmen may also attend court and administrative hearings, as well as meetings of other organs, and may enter and inspect any place where persons deprived of their liberty are confined or work.

(2) The Ombudsmen, their Deputies, and any person who carries out inquiries pursuant to paragraph (1) are required to maintain the confidentiality of information obtained and shall in particular treat all documents and files in accordance with applicable rules, except as provided in ARTICLE 8.

3. Reports of the Ombudsmen


(1) Each Ombudsman shall present an annual report to the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers of the Federation, and to the OSCE.

(2) An Ombudsman may also present at any time special reports to any competent Federation, Cantonal, Municipal, or international authorities. Domestic institutions shall have an obligation to reply within a time limit specified by the Ombudsman. 

(3) In the reports referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2), an Ombudsman may include any material described in ARTICLE 5 and shall make arrangements to protect information requiring confidentiality.

4. Regulations of the Ombudsmen


Each Ombudsman shall draw up, or the Ombudsmen may collectively draw up, Regulations that specify their organization and the method of exercising their functions. The Regulations shall be promulgated in the Official Journal of the Federation. The Federation Legislature may change these Regulations by law.



The Federation shall have exclusive responsibility for:



Both the Federation Government and the Cantons are to have responsibilities for the following: 



As appropriate, the responsibilities in ARTICLE 2 may be exercised jointly or separately, or by the Cantons as coordinated by the Federation Government.

Accordingly, the Cantons and the Federation Government shall consult one another on an ongoing basis with regard to these responsibilities.

In exercising these responsibilities in accordance with this Constitution and Decisions of the Federation Legislature, the Federation shall act with respect for Cantonal prerogatives, the diverse situations of the Cantons and the need for flexibility in implementation when enacting laws and regulations binding throughout the Federation. The Federation Government accordingly has the right to make policy and enact laws concerning each of these responsibilities.

In exercising these responsibilities in accordance with this Constitution and their respective Cantonal constitutions, the Cantons shall act with respect for inter-Cantonal comity, for coordinated approaches to inter-Cantonal matters, and for consistency on matters implicating interests outside their respective borders and shall enforce, complement, and as necessary, elaborate upon Decisions of the Legislature. The Cantons have the right to make policy and enact laws accordingly concerning each of these responsibilities.


The Cantons shall have all responsibility not expressly granted to the Federation Government. They shall have, in particular, responsibility for:



A. The Legislature

a) The legislative authority in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be exercised by the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples.

1. The House of Representatives


(1) A minimum number of 4 representatives of one constituent people shall be represented in the House of Representatives.

(2) The House of Representatives shall consist of ninety-eight delegates.


The term of Members of the House of Representatives shall be four years, unless the House is dissolved in accordance with this Constitution.


(1)  Members of the House of Representatives shall be elected democratically by eligible voters in a direct, Federation-wide election. Each voter shall be eligible to cast a single, secret ballot for any registered party. Each party receiving at least five percent (5%) of the total valid votes cast shall be allocated a number of seats proportional to its percentage of the vote received.

(2) Before each election, each registered party shall publish a list of candidates. The Members of the House of Representatives from each party shall be the persons highest on that party's list; replacements for Members shall be the persons highest of the remainder on that list. 


Any eligible voter may serve as a Member of the House of Representatives.


The House of Representatives shall first be convened not later than twenty days after the results of the election have been promulgated.

2. The House of Peoples
 

Composition of the House of Peoples and Selection of Members

(1) The House of Peoples of the Federation Parliament shall be composed on a parity basis so that each constituent people shall have the same number of representatives.

(2) The House of Peoples shall be composed of 58 delegates; 17 delegates from among each of the constituent peoples and 7 delegates from among the Others.

(3) Others have the right to participate equally in the majority voting procedure.
 

The term of Delegates to the House of Peoples shall be four years, unless the House is dissolved in accordance with the Constitution.
 

(1) Delegates to the House of Peoples shall be elected by the Cantonal Assemblies from among their representatives in proportion to the ethnic structure of the population.

(2) The number of delegates to the House of Peoples to be elected in each Canton shall be proportional to the population of the Canton, given that the number, structure and manner of election of delegates shall be regulated by law.

(3) In the House of Peoples there shall be at least one Bosniac, one Croat, one Serb from each Canton which has at least one such delegate in its legislative body.

(4) Bosniac delegates, Croat delegates and Serb delegates from each Canton shall be elected by their respective representatives, in accordance with the election results in the legislative body of the Canton, and the election of delegates from among the Others shall be regulated by law.

(5) No delegate of the House of Representatives or councilor of the Municipal Council may serve as a member of the House of Peoples.
 


The House of Peoples shall first be convened no later than twenty days after the Cantonal Legislatures are elected.

3. General


(1) Each House shall adopt by a majority vote its Rules of Procedure and elect, from among its members, a Speaker (Chairman) and two Deputy Speakers (Deputy Chairmen) of the Chamber, who may not come from among the same constituent people or from among the Others. 


Each House shall deliberate publicly, other than in exceptional circumstances as provided in its rules, and shall publish a record of its deliberations and decisions.


Members and Delegates of the Federation Legislature shall not be held criminally or civilly liable for any acts carried out within the scope of their duties in the Legislature of the Federation.


Legislators shall be compensated as provided in legislation. Compensation shall not be increased or decreased during a legislative term except for cost of living adjustments.


Each House is expected to reject or approve necessary legislation within a reasonable time of its approval in the other House. When the Prime Minister decides that one House is delaying its disposition of such legislation unduly, he may convene a joint conference, comprising up to ten members from each House of the Legislature, to develop within ten days a position acceptable to both Houses.
 

(1)  When the President decides that the Legislature is unable to enact necessary legislation, he may with the concurrence of the Vice-President dissolve either or each House of the Legislature, provided that a House may not be dissolved within one year of being first convened.

(2) The President shall dissolve the Legislature when it fails to adopt the budget of the Federation before the start of the budgetary period.

4. Decisions of the Legislature
 

Unless provided otherwise in the Constitution, decisions of the Legislature require the approval of each House of the Legislature, except for rules pertaining only to one House and declarations made by it.

5. Definition of vital interests


Vital national interests of constituent peoples are defined as follows:

-        exercise of the rights of constituent peoples to be adequately represented in legislative, executive and judicial authorities;

-        identity of one constituent people;

-        constitutional amendments;

-        organisation of public authorities;

-        equal rights of constituent peoples in the process of decision-making;

-        education, religion, language, promotion of culture, tradition and cultural heritage;

-        territorial organisation;

-        public information system,

and other issues treated as of vital national interest if so claimed by 2/3rd of one of the caucuses of the constituent peoples in the House of Peoples.

6. Parliamentary procedure for the protection of vital interests


(1) Laws or other regulations or acts introduced into the House of Representatives of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall also be adopted in the House of Peoples of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(2) A Vital Interest Panel shall be established in the Constitutional Court deciding issues of vital  interest, in the procedure in accordance with this Constitution. This Panel shall consider all issues of vital interests.

(3) The Vital Interest Panel shall be composed of 7 members, 2 from each constituent people and 1 from the group of Others. The judges shall be elected by the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples.


Procedure for Laws related to a vital interest as defined in the list of amendment XXXVII

1.      If more than one Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the House of Peoples claims that a law comes within the list of vital national interest as defined in Amendment XXXVII of the Constitution of the Federation of BiH, the law shall be put on the agenda of the HoP as a vital interest issue.

2.     If only one Chairman or Vice-Chairman claims that the law falls within this list, of, a two thirds of the respective caucus of the House of Peoples may declare the issue concerned to be of a vital national interest. In this case the procedure followed is the one outlined under Amendment XL.

3.     The Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the House of Peoples have one week within which to decide.

4.     If a majority of each caucus represented in the House of Peoples vote in favour of such laws or other regulations or acts these are deemed to be adopted. 

5.     If the House of Peoples agrees on amendments, the law, regulation or act is resubmitted to the House of Representatives for approval.

6.     If no agreement can be reached in the House of Peoples or if approval is not given to proposed amendments, a Joint Commission composed of representatives of the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples shall be established. The Joint Commission shall be composed on a parity basis and shall decide by consensus. The Joint Commission shall seek to achieve the harmonisation of the terms of the law. If the terms are harmonised, the law shall be deemed to be adopted.

7.     If no such harmonisation can be effected the law shall fail and the document shall be returned to the proponent for a new procedure. In that event the proponent may not resubmit the original law, regulation or act.


Procedure for Laws related to a vital interest if so decided by 2/3rd of one of the caucuses of the Constituent peoples in the House of Peoples

1.   In the event that two thirds of one of the caucuses of the constituent peoples in the House of Peoples decides that a law, regulation or act affects a vital national interest the law shall be considered by the House of Peoples.

2. If a majority of each caucus represented in the House of Peoples vote in favour of such laws or other regulations or acts these are deemed to be adopted.

3.  If the House of Peoples agrees on amendments, the law, regulation or act is resubmitted to the House of Representatives for approval.

4. If no harmonisation can be established by the Joint Commission referred to in Amendment XXXIX, the Constitutional Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be addressed to decide finally whether the law in question relates to a vital interest of a constituent people.

5.     A Vital Interest Panel of the Constitutional Court of the Federation of BiH shall decide by a 2/3rd majority within one week on the admissibility of such cases and within one month on the merits of cases held to be admissible.

6.     In the event that the procedure under this Amendment is triggered by a 2/3 majority of one of the caucuses, the vote of at least two judges is needed for the Court to decide that it is a vital interest. 

7.     If the Court decides in favour of a vital national interest, the law, other regulation or act shall fail and the document shall be returned to the proponent for a new procedure. In that event the proponent may not resubmit the original law, regulation or act.

8.     In the event the Court decides that no vital interest is involved, the law is deemed to be adopted/shall be adopted by simple majority.


Other Decisions shall be taken by a simple majority in each House except as otherwise provided in the rules of that House or in this Constitution.

7. Powers of the Legislature


(1) In addition to other powers specified in the Constitution, the Legislature shall have responsibility for:

(a)  electing the Federation President and two Vice-Presidents, as provided in ARTICLE IV.B.2 of this Constitution;

(b) requesting in accordance with ARTICLE IV.B.3(1) of this Constitution that the Constitutional Court decide whether to remove the President or one of the Vice-Presidents;

(c)  approving by a majority vote the Cabinet;

(d) enacting laws to exercise responsibilities allocated to the Federation Government, which shall take effect as specified therein but no sooner than when promulgated in the Official Journal;

(e)  [deleted];

(f)    authorizing Cantons to conclude agreements with states and international organizations, if approved by the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, except to the extent that the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina  provides by law that certain types of agreements do not require such approval.

(g) 

(h)   approving agreements with states and international organizations, by a majority vote, with the previous consent of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, except to the extent that the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina  provides by law that certain types of agreements do not require such approval.

(i)     financing the armed forces of the Federation and approving nominations of officers as provided in ARTICLE IV.B.8 of this Constitution;

(j)     adopting the budget of the Federation and enacting legislation to levy taxes and otherwise secure the necessary financing; and

(k)   performing such other responsibilities as are conferred upon it.


Either House may conduct investigations and for this purpose may compel the production of testimony and documents.

B. The Federation Executive

1. The President and the Vice-President


The President of the Federation shall have two Vice-Presidents who shall come from different constituent peoples. They shall be elected in accordance with this Constitution.


(1) In electing the President and two Vice-presidents of the Federation, at least one third of the delegates of the respective Bosniac, Croat or Serb caucuses in the House of Peoples may nominate the President and two Vice-presidents of the Federation.

(2) The election for the President and two Vice-presidents of the Federation shall require the joint approval of the list of three nominees, by a majority vote in the House of Representatives, and then by a majority vote in the House of Peoples, including the majority of each constituent people’s caucus.

(3) If no list of the nominees receives the required majority in both Houses the procedure shall be repeated.

(4) If one of the Houses rejects the joint nominees’ list in the repeated procedure as well, it shall be considered that the nominated persons have been elected by approval of the list in only one house.

(5) The President and two Vice-presidents of the Federation shall be elected for a four-year term of office.”


(1) The President or a Vice-President may be removed by a decision of the Constitutional Court, acting pursuant to a Decision of the Legislature, adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of each House, that the official has violated the oath of office or is otherwise unworthy to serve. 

(2) If either the President or a Vice-President dies, is removed from office, or, in the opinion of the Cabinet acting by consensus, is permanently unable to fulfill the duties of the office, the procedure provided in ARTICLE 2 shall be followed within thirty days by the caucus which nominated the person to be replaced, to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the original term.

2. The Cabinet


Minimum representation in the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a transitional period until Annex 7 is fully implemented

(1) The Government of the Federation (Prime Minister/President of the Government and 16 ministers) shall be composed of 8 Bosniac, 5 Croat and 3 Serb ministers. One Other may be nominated by the Prime Minister/President of the Government from the quota of the largest constituent people. The Government shall have a Prime Minister/president of the Government who shall have two Deputy Prime Ministers from different constituent peoples selected from among the Ministers.

(2) After Annex 7 is fully implemented, a minimum of 15% of the members of the Government must come from one constituent people. A minimum of 35% of the members of the Government must come from two constituent peoples. One member of the Government must come from the group of the Others.
 

(1) President of the Federation, in agreement with both Vice-presidents of the Federation, shall appoint the Government of the Federation – upon consultation with the Prime Minister or a nominee for that office. The Government shall be elected after its appointment has been confirmed by a majority vote of the House of Representatives of the Federation.  Any vacancy shall be filled under the same procedure. 

(2) If the House of Representatives does not confirm the appointment of the Government, the President of the Federation in agreement with the Vice-presidents of the Federation, and upon consultation with the Prime Minister or a nominee for that office, shall repeat the procedure referred to in Paragraph 1 of this ARTICLE.

(3) The Cabinet may be removed either by the President with the concurrence of the Vice-President, or by a vote of no confidence adopted by a majority in each House of the Legislature. The President shall remove Ministers upon the proposal of the Prime Minister.


3. Distribution of Executive Competencies.


Except as specifically provided in this Constitution:

(a) The President shall be responsible for:


(b) The Vice-Presidents shall be responsible for:

(i) replacing the President in the circumstances specified in ARTICLE 3 of this Sub-Chapter;

(ii) acting with the President in those situations in which the latter is required to seek his concurrence; and

(iii) carrying out such responsibilities assigned to him by the President or by legislation.

(c) The Prime Minister shall be responsible for:


(d)

(e) The Deputy Prime Ministers shall be responsible for:


(f) Each Minister shall be responsible for:


(g)  [deleted]



The Government is authorized to promulgate decrees having the force of law in response to national emergencies when the Legislature is unable to do so. 

Decrees shall take effect in the same manner as a Decision of the Legislature and may not derogate from the rights and freedoms provided in this Constitution. Each decree shall terminate no later than the end of the thirtieth day after its promulgation, provided that it shall terminate immediately upon disapproval by a Decision of the Legislature or at the end of the tenth day after its promulgation if the Legislature is in session when the decree is promulgated. A decree promulgated while the Federation is using armed force in accordance with this Constitution shall remain in force until the fifth day of the next session of the Legislature, when it shall expire unless approved but in no event more than six months. After termination, a decree shall not be extended, reinstated, or repeated without a Decision of the Legislature to that effect.

4. Immunities


 
C. The Judiciary

1. General Provisions Concerning All Courts


 

(1) The judicial functions in the Federation shall be exercised by the courts of the Federation specified in paragraph (2), by the Cantonal courts specified in ARTICLE V.ll and by the Municipal courts specified in ARTICLE VI.8.

(2) The Courts of the Federation shall be:

(a) The Constitutional Court;

(b) The Supreme Court; and

(c) deleted


All organs of government shall carry out and assist in implementing judgments and orders of all courts referred to in this Constitution.


Except as otherwise specified in this Constitution, such rules of procedure as may be necessary to ensure uniformity with regard to due process and the basic principles of justice in the proceedings of all courts and organization of all courts shall be established by laws of the Federation; a Cantonal legislature may adopt any complementary rules to govern the courts of that Canton and of Municipalities therein. Subject to such rules, each court may organize itself and adopt any subsidiary rules.

ARTICLE 4 

(1) All judicial power in the Federation shall be exercised independently and autonomously.

(2)   Courts shall ensure that all parties to legal proceedings are treated equally.

(3)   The Judiciary is autonomous and independent from the executive and legislative powers of the Federation.
 
(4)   The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall ensure the autonomy, independence, impartiality, competence and efficiency of the judiciary and of the prosecutorial service in the Federation. The responsibilities of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council shall include, but shall not be limited to, the appointment, discipline and removal of judges, apart from the Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Federation, and shall also include prosecutors and deputy prosecutors in the Federation. The composition and additional responsibilities of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial  Council shall be defined by law.

(5)   Unless otherwise provided by legislation for certain exceptional situations, all court proceedings shall be open. All judgments shall be announced publicly.

2. General Provisions Concerning the Courts of the Federation


(1) All Judges of all the Courts of the Federation shall be distinguished jurists of the highest moral standing.

(2) Judges of the Federation shall not be held criminally or civilly liable for any acts carried out within the scope of their respective authority. 


(1)   The Judges of the Supreme Court, including the Court President, shall be selected, appointed, disciplined and removed by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council in accordance with law.

(2)   The Judges of the Constitutional Court shall be nominated by the President of the Federation with the concurrence of the Vice-Presidents, and shall require for appointment the approval of a majority of the present and voting  members of the House of Peoples.

(3)   Judges of the Supreme Court, apart from reserve judges, shall, save as hereinafter set out, be appointed for life subject to resignation, retirement or removal for cause by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council in accordance with the law. Judges of the Supreme Court may likewise exceptionally cease to hold office pursuant to a selection process following restructuring of the Supreme Court  during the transitional period to be defined in the Law establishing the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of the Federation. The mandatory retirement age for Judges of the Supreme Court shall be defined by Law. 

(4)   The Judges of the Constitutional Court shall serve until 70 years of age, unless they resign or they are removed for cause by consensus of the Judges of the same Court.


(1)   The salary and other emoluments of a Judge may not be diminished during the period of his/her judicial office except as a result of disciplinary proceedings in accordance with law.

(2)   The salaries and other terms of service, including the immunity of all the Judges of the Courts of the Federation shall be determined by law.


(1) There shall be established a Judicial Police to assist each Federation Court in securing information, in ensuring the presence of witnesses and the transport of accused persons, in maintaining the decorum of courtrooms and the security of court premises, and in carrying out court orders.

(2) The overall composition of the Judicial Police shall reflect that of the population of the Federation, and for any local units that of the relevant Canton or Municipality.

(3) The President of the Supreme Court shall be responsible for the management of the Judicial Police. 

(4) The President of the Supreme Court shall promulgate arrangements under which the Judicial Police may assist any Ombudsman, at his request, in the performance of his duties.

3. The Constitutional Court


The Constitutional Court shall be composed of nine judges, of whom at least two come from all three constituent people each and one from the group of the Others.


(1) The primary function of the Constitutional Court shall be to resolve disputes:


(2) The Constitutional Court shall:

(a) At the request of the President, of the Vice-President, of the Prime Minister, of the Deputy Prime Minister, or of one-third of the members of either House of the Legislature, determine whether any proposed law that has been adopted by either House of the Legislature, or any law or proposed law that has been adopted by each House of the Legislature, is in accord with this Constitution;

(b) At the request of the Prime Minister, of the canton concerned, or of one-third of the members of the Legislature of a Canton, determine whether any law or proposed law that has been adopted by that Legislature (including the Cantonal Constitution and any amendments thereto), is in accord with this Constitution.

(c) At the request of the President, of the Vice-President, of the Prime Minister, of the Deputy Prime Minister, determine whether any regulation enacted or proposed regulation to be enacted by any organ of the Federation Government is in accord with this Constitution.

(d) At the request of the Prime Minister, of the canton concerned, determine whether any proposed law that has been adopted by a body of the Canton, city or municipality authority, is in accord with this Constitution.

(3)   The Constitutional Court shall also decide constitutional questions presented by the Supreme Court or a Cantonal court that arise in the course of a proceeding currently pending before that Court.

The Constitutional Court shall decide questions, which arise under legislation regulating immunity in the Federation.


Whenever the Supreme Court or a Cantonal court should consider, in the course of a proceeding currently pending before such court, that an applicable law is not in accord with this Constitution, it shall stay the proceeding and present the question to the Constitutional Court in accordance with ARTICLE 10(3).


Decisions of the Constitutional Court shall be final and binding. In particular:

(a) If the Court decides a dispute pursuant to ARTICLE 10(1), all parties to the dispute shall abide by that decision and comply with any orders of the Court issued in the course of or at the end of the proceeding;

(b) If the Court determines that a law or regulation or proposed law or regulation of the Federation or of any Canton or of any Municipality is not in accord with this Constitution, such law or proposed law shall not remain or enter into force, except if altered in such a manner as specified by the Court or unless the Court specifies some transitional arrangements which may not extend to a period in excess of six months;

(c) If the Court decides a constitutional question presented to it pursuant to ARTICLE 10(3), its response shall be binding on the Court that presented the question in respect of the proceeding in the course of which it arose and shall also have the effect specified in (b).


(1) In any proceeding pursuant to ARTICLE 10(1), both parties to the dispute are entitled to be represented. The Court may also permit other governmental entities that it considers as interested in the dispute to participate in the proceeding.

(2) In any proceeding pursuant to ARTICLE 10(2), the person or persons who requested the Court's determination are entitled to be represented, as well as a representative of the House or Legislature that has adopted the law in question.

(3) In any proceeding pursuant to ARTICLE 10(3), all parties to the proceeding that gave rise to the constitutional question at issue are entitled to be represented.

4. The Supreme Court


The Supreme Court shall have a number of Judges determined from time to time by Federation legislation but no fewer than nine. 



(1) The Supreme Court shall be the highest court of appeals of the Federation, including appeals from Cantonal courts, in respect of matters involving questions concerning the Constitution, laws or regulations of the Federation and others as provided for in Federation legislation, except those within the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court.

(2) The Supreme Court shall also have such original jurisdiction as is provided by Federation legislation.


Judgments of the Supreme Court shall be final and binding. In particular Judgments as well as any orders of the Court in respect to appeals submitted pursuant to ARTICLE 15(1) shall be binding on the parties to the proceeding as well as on the court from which the appeal in question was taken.


When the Court is exercising original jurisdiction pursuant to ARTICLE 15(2) it shall have, in addition to any powers specifically provided by the legislation pursuant to which it is acting, the same powers that other courts of original jurisdiction have pursuant to the laws referred to in ARTICLE 3(1) of this Sub-Chapter.

5. The Human Rights Court


(1) The Human Rights Court shall consist of three Judges, one Bosniac, one Croat and one Other.

(2) If the Court concludes that its business requires the participation of more judges to avoid undue delays in the disposition of cases, the Federation Legislature shall by legislation provide for the appointment of additional judges, in accordance with the above-specified proportion.


The competence of the Human Rights Court shall extend to any question concerning a constitutional or other legal provision relating to human rights or fundamental freedoms or to any of the instruments listed in the Annex. The Court shall have jurisdiction over cases commenced after 1 January 1991. 

ARTICLE 20

Any party to an appeal in which another court of the Federation or any Canton has pronounced a judgment that is not subject to any other appeal (for a reason other than the lapse of a time limit for which the moving party is responsible), may appeal such judgment to the Court on the basis of any question within its competence. The Court may issue orders or other relief it deems appropriate. The decision of the Court shall be final and binding.

ARTICLE 21

(1) An appeal may also be taken to the Court if a proceeding is pending for an unduly long time in any other court of the Federation or any Canton.

(2) The Court shall decide whether to accept such an appeal after a preliminary consideration of whether the proceeding in the other court has been pending too long and whether the subject of the appeal is within its competence.

(3) The Court may make other provisions for expediting proceedings.


The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court or any Cantonal court may, at the request of any party to an appeal pending before it, or on its own motion in relation to such an appeal, address to the Human Rights Court a question arising out of the appeal if the question relates to any matter within the competence of that Court. The response of the Court is binding on the requesting court.


(1) The Human Rights Court shall regulate its own procedures and its organization.

(2) Each panel of the Court is to have the composition specified for the Court in ARTICLE 18(1).

(3) The Court shall allow written and oral pleadings in every proceeding pursuant to ARTICLEs 20-22.

D. Distribution of key functions in the Federation Authority Structure


The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers may not come from the same constituent people.

Out of the following positions not more than two may be filled by representatives of any one constituent people or of the group of the Others:

 

Following the election of the Legislature of the Federation and appointment of the Prime-Minister, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House of Peoples, the President of the Constitutional Court, the President of the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be chosen in accordance with the distribution of functions provided in ARTICLE IV.D.1. 


1. General Provisions


Each Canton shall, in carrying out its responsibilities as described in ARTICLEs III.2 and 4 of this Constitution:

(a) take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of the rights and freedoms listed in Sub-Chapter II.A and provided in the instruments listed in the Annex to this Constitution and shall act consistently with this Constitution.

(b) exercise its responsibilities with due regard to the population in each Municipality.

(c) ensure that constituent peoples and members of the group of Others shall be proportionally represented in Ministries of the Cantons. Such proportionate representation shall follow the 1991 census until Annex 7 is fully implemented.


(1) Each canton may confer its responsibilities to a municipality or city in its territory, or to the federal authority.

(2) Each Canton may delegate functions concerning education, culture, tourism, local business and charitable activities, and radio and television to a municipality or city in  its territory, and is obliged to do so if the majority of population in the municipality or city is other that of the Canton as a whole.

(3) Each Canton may enter into agreements with states and international organizations, with the approval of the Federation Assembly and the Parliamentary  Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, except to the extent that the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina  provides by law that certain types of agreements do not require its approval.


Cantons [deleted] may establish Councils of Cantons in order to coordinate policies and activities on matters of common interest to their communities and to advise their representatives in the House of Peoples. These may include coordinating bodies, such as commissions and working groups, to share information and harmonize the Cantons' respective actions in implementing their responsibilities, but may not include military or political arrangements.


Each Canton shall have a constitution, which shall provide for:

(a) the institutions described below; and

(b) the protection of the rights and freedoms described in this Constitution;

and shall be consistent with this Constitution.

2. The Cantonal Legislatures


(1)  Each Canton shall have a Legislature consisting of one House comprising a number of Legislators determined in proportion to its population.

(2) The term of Cantonal Legislators shall be four years.

(3) Cantonal Legislators shall be elected democratically by the eligible voters in a direct, Canton-wide election. Each voter shall be eligible to cast a single, secret ballot for any registered party.

(4) Before each election, each registered party shall publish a list of candidates. Each party's Cantonal Legislators shall be selected from the persons highest on that party's list; replacements for Legislators shall be made from the highest of the remainder on that list.

(5) Any eligible voter is eligible to serve as a Cantonal Legislator.

(6) The Cantonal Legislatures shall first be convened not later than ten (10) days after the results of the election have been promulgated.


The Cantonal Legislature shall:

(a) prepare and by a two-thirds majority vote approve the Cantonal Constitution;

(b) [deleted]

(c)

(d) [deleted]

(e) enact other legislation necessary to carry out the Canton's responsibilities; and 

(f) approve the Canton's budget and enact legislation to levy taxes and otherwise secure the necessary financing.


(1)  Each Cantonal Legislature shall, by a majority vote, adopt rules of procedure.

(2) A caucus of a constituent people shall be established, provided there is at least one delegate of such constituent people in the Cantonal Legislature.

(3) Each caucus shall nominate one candidate from among its members for the post of Chairman or Vice-Chairman, who must be confirmed by the Cantonal Legislature.

(4) The Cantonal Legislature shall confirm the candidates in accordance with its Rules of Procedure. In the event that a constituent people is not represented in the Legislature, one of the positions of Vice-Chairman shall remain vacant.

(5) The three candidates confirmed by the Cantonal Assembly shall decide among themselves who shall occupy the post of Chairman.

(6) Cantonal Legislatures shall deliberate publicly, other than in exceptional circumstances as provided in their rules, and shall publish a record of their deliberations and decisions.

(7)  Laws of the Cantonal Legislatures shall take effect as specified therein but no sooner than when disseminated to the public;

(8) Legislators in the Cantonal Legislatures shall not be held criminally or civilly liable for any acts carried out within the scope of their duties in the Cantonal Legislatures.

(9) Cantonal Legislatures may conduct investigations and for this purpose may compel the production of testimony and documents.

Vital interest protection mechanism


1)     Vital interests of constituent peoples to be protected in the Cantons shall be those defined in ARTICLE IV.5.17.a of this Constitution. The caucuses referred to in ARTICLE IV.5.17.a of this Constitution shall, for the purpose of the Cantons, be the caucuses established in accordance with ARTICLE V.2.7., paragraph 2 of this Constitution.

2)    If more than one Chairman or Vice-Chairman of a Cantonal Legislature claims that a law comes within the list of vital interests as defined in the list of ARTICLE IV.5.17.a of this Constitution, adoption of such law shall require:

-        a majority vote within each caucus of the constituent peoples represented in the given Cantonal Legislature.

3)    The Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Cantonal Legislature must decide, within one week, whether a law, regulation or act comes within the list referred to in Paragraph 2 of this ARTICLE. 

4)    If only one Chairman or Vice-Chairman claims that a law, regulation or act falls within the list of vital interests, a two-thirds majority of the respective caucus of one of the constituent peoples of the given Cantonal Legislature may declare the issue concerned to be an item within the list of vital interests.”
 

1)     In case a two-thirds majority of one of the caucuses of the constituent peoples in the Cantonal Legislature decides that a law, regulation or act affects a vital national interest, adoption of such law, regulation or act shall require a majority vote within each caucus of constituent peoples represented in the Cantonal Legislature.

2)    If the majority referred to in Paragraph 1 of this ARTICLE is not reached, the issue shall be referred to the Constitutional Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which shall take a final decision whether the law, regulation or act in question relates to a vital interest of a constituent people.

3)    In such a case as described in this ARTICLE, the Constitutional Court of the Federation shall proceed in the manner provided for in ARTICLE IV.6.18.a of this Constitution.

4)    If the Court decides in favour of a vital interest, the law, regulation or act shall fail and the document shall be returned to the proponent for a new procedure. In that event, the proponent may not re-submit the original text of the law, regulation or act.

5)    In the event that the Constitutional Court decides that no vital interest is involved, the law, regulation or act is deemed to be adopted / shall be adopted by simple majority.

3. The Cantonal Executive


(1)   Constituent peoples and members of the group of Others shall be proportionately represented in the Government.  Such proportionate representation shall follow the 1991 census until Annex 7 is fully implemented, in accordance with ARTICLE IX.11.a of this Constitution”. 

(2)   A Cantonal Prime Minister candidate shall be nominated by the Chairman of the Cantonal Legislature in consultation with the Vice-Chairmen. The Prime Minister-candidate shall propose Ministers.  There shall be no Deputy Ministers.

(1)   Ministers, together with the Prime Minister, constitute the Cantonal Government.  Approval of the Cantonal Government by the Cantonal Legislature shall be by majority vote.

(2)   Notwithstanding paragraph 3 of this ARTICLE, in cantons where two or more constituent peoples each constitute greater than 30 percent of the cantonal population according to the last census, the Government shall be approved by the Cantonal Legislature by a two-thirds majority.

(3)   The Government shall take office after approval by the Cantonal Legislature.
 

Ministers shall be responsible to the Prime Minister and to the Cantonal Legislature.  The Prime Minister shall also be responsible to the Cantonal Legislature.  

Ministers shall have ultimate responsibility for the work of their respective Ministries.

The Government shall resign if, at any time, a vote of no confidence is passed by the Cantonal Legislature.


The Cantonal Government shall be responsible for:



In exercising its responsibilities in respect to the cantonal police, the Cantonal Government shall ensure that the composition of the police shall reflect that of the population of the Canton, provided that the composition of the police of each Municipality shall reflect the composition of the latter. 

4. The Cantonal Judiciary


(1)   Cantons shall have courts, which shall have appellate jurisdiction over the courts of their Municipalities and original jurisdiction over matters not within the competence of those courts and as provided in legislation.

(2)   Judges of Cantonal Courts, including the Court Presidents, shall be selected, appointed, disciplined and removed by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council in accordance with the law. 

(3)   Judges of Cantonal Courts, apart from reserve judges, shall be appointed for life subject to resignation, retirement or removal for cause by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council in accordance with the law of the Federation. Judges of Cantonal Courts may likewise exceptionally cease to hold office pursuant to a selection process following restructuring of cantonal courts  during the transitional period to be defined in the law establishing the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council. The mandatory retirement age for Judges of Cantonal Courts shall be defined by Law of the Federation. Terms of service, including immunity, of the Judges of Cantonal Courts shall be determined by the law of the Federation. The salary and other emoluments of a Judge may not be diminished during the period of his/her judicial office except as a result of disciplinary proceedings in accordance with law. 

(4)   Constituent peoples and Others shall be proportionately represented in cantonal and municipal courts. Such representation shall follow the 1991 census until Annex 7 is fully implemented, in accordance with ARTICLE IX.11a of this Constitution.
 
[deleted]



In carrying out its responsibilities, each Municipality shall: 

(a) take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of the rights and freedoms listed in Sub-Chapter VI.A and provided in the instruments listed in the Annex to this Constitution.

(b) exercise its responsibilities with due regard to the composition of its population.

(c) Constituent peoples and Others shall be proportionately represented in municipal authorities. Such representation shall follow the 1991 census until Annex 7 is fully implemented, in accordance with ARTICLE IX.11.a of this Constitution.


(1) Each Municipality shall exercise self-rule on local matters.

(2) Each Municipality shall have a statute, which shall be consistent with this Constitution, the constitution of its Canton, and conform to any relevant Cantonal legislation. 


(1) Each Municipality shall have a Governing Council.

(2) The term of the members of Municipal Governing Councils shall be four years, provided that the term of the first members of the Municipal Governing Councils shall be one year.

(3) Municipal Councilors shall be elected democratically by the eligible voters in a direct, Municipality-wide election. Each voter shall be eligible to cast a single, secret ballot for any registered party. Each party shall be allocated a number of seats proportional to its percentage of the total of valid votes.

(4) Any eligible voter is eligible to serve as a Municipal Councillor.


The Municipal Governing Council shall:

(a) prepare and by a two-thirds majority vote approve the Municipal Statute Charter;

(b) elect the Municipal Executive;

(c) approve the Municipality's budget and enact regulations and ordinances to levy taxes and otherwise secure the necessary financing insofar as not provided by the Canton or the Federation Government; and

(d) enact other regulations and ordinances necessary to carry out the Municipality's responsibilities.


(1) Each Municipal Governing Council shall arrange for the selection of the Municipal Executive and establish rules of procedure, subject to federal and Cantonal legislation.

(2) Municipal Governing Councils shall deliberate publicly, other than in exceptional circumstances as provided in their rules, and shall keep a record of their decisions.

(3) Municipal ordinances and regulations shall take effect when specified but not before they are disseminated to the public.


The Municipal Executive shall be responsible for:

(a) appointing and removing Municipal officials;

(b) executing and enforcing Municipal policies, ordinances and regulations, as well as any responsibilities assigned to the Municipality by the Cantonal and Federation Governments;

(c) ensuring the cooperation of Municipal officials with the Ombudsmen; and

(d) reporting on the implementation of Municipal policies and activities to the Governing Council and the public.


(1)   The Municipal courts, which may be established for the territory of one or more municipalities, shall have jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters, except to the extent that the original jurisdiction is assigned to another court by this or the Cantonal Constitution or by a law of the Federation or of the Canton. 

(2)   Municipal Courts shall be established by the Cantonal legislation and be funded by the Cantons.

(3)   Judges of Municipal Courts, including Presidents of the Courts, shall be selected, appointed, disciplined and removed by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of the Federation in accordance with the law.

(4)   Judges of Municipal Courts, apart from reserve judges, shall be appointed for life subject to resignation, retirement or removal for cause by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council in accordance with the law. Judges of Municipal Courts may likewise exceptionally cease to hold office pursuant to a selection process following restructuring of municipal courts  during the transitional period to be defined in the law establishing the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council. The mandatory retirement age for Judges of Municipal Courts shall be defined by Law. Terms of service, including immunity, shall be determined by Law of the Federation. The salary and other emoluments of a Judge may not be diminished during the period of his/her judicial office except as a result of disciplinary proceedings in accordance with law. 


(1) For the areas of two or more municipalities which are territorially linked by the everyday needs of citizens, a city shall be formed as a local government and self-government unit, in accordance with Federal legislation.

The city shall be responsible for: 

            a) finances and tax policy, in accordance with Federal and Cantonal legislation;

            b) joint infrastructure;

            c) urban planning;

            d) public transport;