Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the bicameral legislative body of Bosnia and Herzegovina, consisting of the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assembly is responsible for passing laws and exercising parliamentary control over the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, headed by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assembly is composed of representatives elected by the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Party of Democratic Action, and Alliance of Independent Social Democrats being some of the major political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

● Introduction

The Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina plays a crucial role in the politics of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its roots in the Dayton Agreement, signed by Slobodan Milošević, Alija Izetbegović, and Franjo Tuđman in 1995. The assembly is headquartered in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is composed of representatives from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska. The assembly works closely with the European Union, Council of Europe, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to promote democracy and human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assembly has also been involved in the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union, signed in 2008.

● Composition

The House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina is composed of 42 members, elected by proportional representation for a term of 4 years, with the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Party of Democratic Action, and Alliance of Independent Social Democrats being some of the major political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina is composed of 15 members, with 5 members from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 5 members from the Republika Srpska, and 5 members from the minority groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Serb Democratic Party. The assembly is led by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who is elected by the members of the assembly, with the support of the Party of Democratic Action, Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats.

● Powers and Functions

The Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina has the power to pass laws, approve the budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and exercise parliamentary control over the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, headed by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assembly also has the power to appoint and dismiss the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the Party of Democratic Action, Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats. The assembly works closely with the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Supreme Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Human Rights Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina to promote the rule of law and human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assembly has also been involved in the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

● Legislative Process

The legislative process in Bosnia and Herzegovina involves the proposal of laws by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, headed by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the approval of laws by the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assembly also has the power to amend and reject laws, with the support of the Party of Democratic Action, Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats. The assembly works closely with the European Union, Council of Europe, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to promote democracy and human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assembly has also been involved in the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union, signed in 2008.

● History

The Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina was established in 1995, after the signing of the Dayton Agreement, which ended the Bosnian War between the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croatian Defence Council, and the Army of Republika Srpska. The assembly has played a crucial role in the post-war reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the United Nations, European Union, and the United States. The assembly has also been involved in the implementation of the Annex 7 of the Dayton Agreement, which deals with the return of refugees and displaced persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assembly has worked closely with the Office of the High Representative, the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to promote stability and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assembly has also been involved in the implementation of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was adopted in 1995, and the Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which have been held regularly since 1996.