According to
"Blic", through the opinion given by the Ministry of Justice to draft Law on
Amendment of the Law on Ombudsman, the Ministry is trying to exempt the control over the
work of State Council of Prosecutors and High Judicial Council from the Ombudsman's
competences, as well as to reduce the Ombudsman's mandate. Exemption of the mentioned
authorities from the Ombudsman's control is an obvious revenge for the Ombudsman's opinion
about the High Judicial Council's work, which he deems illegal in incomplete composition,
as well as all the decision made in such circumstances.
Reduction of competences of an institution addressing the protection of
human rights would present reduction of the achieved level of human rights protection in
Serbia, which is prohibited by the Constitution and international agreements in this
field. We are reminding the public that the Ombudsman's mandate of seven years is one of
the measures to prevent that the election for this function depends on the current
Assembly composition, thus on the political willingness of the governing majority.
According to the assessments of all international and national
institutions and organisations addressing human rights, the Ombudsman has succeeded in
establishing an independent and professional institution in the past period, which is one
of rare barriers for violation of human rights and unprofessional work of state
administration in Serbia. The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia has been
endangering human rights and rule of law in Serbia with its acting for longer period of
time, supporting unconstitutional and illegal decisions of the High Judicial Council, and
is responsible for one of most unsuccessful reforms in Serbia since 5 October 2000.
The Human Rights and Democracy House is determined to persist in the
defence of all independent institutions which do their job responsibly and professionally.
Reduction of the Ombudsman's competences and mandate would present a clear message of the
Government to the citizens that those who fight for human rights in Serbia are being
punished and that development of rule of law in the country is not an option anymore. All
political parties which support this opinion of the Ministry of Justice, especially
Democratic Party, officials of which are conducting this Ministry, will be responsible for
endangering the rule of law in Serbia and for reduction of the achieved level of human
rights protection. |
