Office of the High Representative

Office of the High Representative
Name	Office of the High Representative
Native name	Ured Visokog predstavnika
Caption	Emblem of the Office of the High Representative
Formation	14 December 1995
Type	International civilian mission
Status	Active
Headquarters	Sarajevo
Location	Bosnia and Herzegovina
Leader title	High Representative
Leader name	Christian Schmidt
Parent organization	Peace Implementation Council
Website	www.ohr.int

Office of the High Representative. The Office of the High Representative is an international institution established to oversee the civilian implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement which ended the Bosnian War. It operates in Bosnia and Herzegovina under the authority of the Peace Implementation Council and the United Nations Security Council. The High Representative, appointed by the international community, possesses extensive executive powers to enact laws and remove officials deemed obstructive to the peace process. Its headquarters are located in the capital, Sarajevo.

History

The office was formally created on 14 December 1995 by Annex 10 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, signed at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. Its establishment followed the brutal Bosnian War and the subsequent General Framework Agreement for Peace negotiated by parties including the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croat Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia, and the Republika Srpska. The first High Representative, Carl Bildt of Sweden, began work in 1996 under the auspices of the Peace Implementation Council steering board, which includes major powers like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. A pivotal moment came in 1997 with the Bonn Powers, granted by the Peace Implementation Council, which dramatically expanded the office's authority to impose legislation and dismiss elected officials.

Mandate and powers

The core mandate is to ensure Bosnia and Herzegovina's compliance with the civilian aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement and to facilitate post-war reconstruction and state-building. Under the Bonn Powers, the High Representative can enact binding decisions, including laws passed by the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and can remove from office any public official who violates legal commitments or obstructs the peace process. These powers have been used to establish key state institutions like the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, create a unified Brčko District under international supervision, and impose reforms related to the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The office also coordinates the activities of other international organizations operating in the country, such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Structure and organization

The office is led by the High Representative, who is selected by the steering board of the Peace Implementation Council and endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. The current High Representative is Christian Schmidt of Germany. The headquarters in Sarajevo houses various departments focusing on areas like legal reform, economic development, and defense policy. The office maintains field offices in major entities, including Banja Luka in the Republika Srpska and Mostar in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It works in close coordination with the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a role often held concurrently by the High Representative, and receives logistical support from the European Union Force Althea.

Role in the Dayton Peace Agreement

Annex 10 of the Dayton Peace Agreement specifically designates the High Representative as the final authority in theatre regarding interpretation of the agreement's civilian implementation. The office plays a central role in overseeing the complex constitutional structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which comprises two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska. It has been instrumental in implementing rulings from the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, particularly concerning state property and constitutional reforms. The office also supervises the implementation of the Brčko District arbitration award, which created a neutral, self-governing administrative unit.

Criticism and controversy

The office has faced significant criticism from various political actors within Bosnia and Herzegovina and some international observers. Leaders from the Republika Srpska, such as Milorad Dodik, have frequently denounced the Bonn Powers as a form of undemocratic international protectorate that undermines national sovereignty. Critics argue that the imposition of laws by unelected officials has created a dependency culture and hindered the development of domestic political accountability. Some analysts, including those from the European Stability Initiative, have questioned the long-term sustainability of the office's intrusive powers. The decision to extend the mandate of Christian Schmidt in 2021 was challenged by members of the United Nations Security Council, including Russia and China, highlighting geopolitical divisions over the mission's future.

List of High Representatives

* Carl Bildt (1995–1997), Sweden * Carlos Westendorp (1997–1999), Spain * Wolfgang Petritsch (1999–2002), Austria * Paddy Ashdown (2002–2006), United Kingdom * Christian Schwarz-Schilling (2006–2007), Germany * Miroslav Lajčák (2007–2009), Slovakia * Valentin Inzko (2009–2021), Austria * Christian Schmidt (2021–present), Germany

Category:International organizations based in Europe Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Nations Category:Peacekeeping forces and missions