There won’t be a long wait for the harmonization of the text amending the Criminal Code of the Federation of BiH to recognize femicide as a distinct criminal offense, according to members of the Collegium of the FBiH House of Representatives, following the House of Peoples’ adoption of the amendments with changes compared to the version previously passed by the lower house.
“We are not perfect”
The process is expected to be completed by the end of this month, specifically at the session scheduled for June 26. Members of the Collegium also reminded of other important acts adopted in recent times, including the appointment of two judges to the Constitutional Court of BiH.
The current convocation of the FBiH House of Representatives has adopted 88 laws during this mandate. Speaker Dragan Mioković (Our Party) highlighted the adoption of the so-called Adnan’s Law—an amendment to the law on transplantation aimed at helping young Mostar native Adnan Šemić—as the most emotional moment.
Other significant legislation includes the Law on the Podophile Registry, a set of social welfare laws, laws on veterans’ protection, and laws in the field of trade.
“I’m particularly referring to the provisions of the law that regulated a non-working Sunday for retail workers. I believe this law has enabled female workers—who make up the majority in the retail sector—to have Sundays free to spend with their families,” Mioković stated.
He also added that, aside from the laws on fire protection and firefighting, and due to the need for additional consultations, currently no laws are pending or “stuck in drawers.” He mentioned that by December, the third judge of the State Constitutional Court will be appointed, and members of the Federal Television’s Board of Directors have already been selected.
Deputy Chairwoman Azra Okić (SDP BiH), speaking about the introduction of femicide into the Criminal Code, stated that the law is aligned with the legal acquis of the EU.
“Where the sentencing range is the widest possible, from a minimum of ten years to life imprisonment. New security measures have also been introduced alongside existing ones for perpetrators of criminal offenses, including prohibitions on communication and harassment of the victim, as well as removal from the household,” emphasized Okić.
She noted that a set of energy laws, as well as laws on gas and petroleum products, have been adopted, fulfilling obligations toward the Energy Community and the EU.
The other Deputy Chairman, Mladen Bošković (HDZ BiH), stated that not everything is ideal. However, knowing the situation at the state level, he said it is important to maintain a functional Federation.
“When, on one or two occasions, we from the ranks of Croatian parties were outvoted in the House of Representatives, it did not affect our further work, because we are aware that a person can sometimes experience disappointment but does not have to react harshly. Such situations can be minimized through further agreements to cause as little harm as possible,” said Bošković.
Narrow majority
He added that the opposition cannot escape co-responsibility for the functioning and stability of the Federation and concluded that the entity’s stability must be maintained. The narrow majority was mentioned as a kind of complicating factor, but members of the Collegium stated that it is functional and without open issues.
Written by our correspondent D.I.
