Appointment of Darko Ćulum as Director of SIPA will undermine citizens’ trust in the security sector

TI BiH calls on the Council of Ministers not to appoint Darko Ćulum as the director of SIPA, because that would mean appointing a person against whom one of the most important law enforcement institutions is being prosecuted for the most serious forms of violations of human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

Banja Luka, 21. January 2020 – Transparency International in BiH (TI BiH) calls on the Council of Ministers to reject Security Minister Fahrudin Radončić’s proposal to appoint Darko Ćulum as director of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA). TI BiH reminds the Council of Ministers and the public that Darko Ćulum was the head of the Republika Srpska Police at a time when this institution was facing serious accusations of violations of basic human rights and freedoms.

The citizens of Banja Luka reported to the Ombudsman, civil society organizations and internal police controls cases of harassment in police premises, use of excessive force and unprofessional behavior of several police officers, especially towards civil activists. At the same time, contrary to international practice, and contrary to the warnings of domestic and international organizations, the Police, led by Darko Ćulum, focused all its resources on banning public gatherings in Banja Luka for a certain group of people. at the request of several citizens. TI BiH has also filed several criminal charges against police officers on suspicion of violent behavior and abuse of office in connection with police powers, all of which were directed against members of the Justice for David group and other Banja Luka citizens recognized as supporters of the group.

TI BiH believes that the appointment of Darko Ćulum as director of SIPA, or the institution whose mandate is to fight organized and serious crime, only leads to further undermining public confidence in government, and their commitment to ending crime and corruption. TI BiH calls on the Council of Ministers not to appoint Darko Ćulum as the director of SIPA, because that would mean appointing a person against whom one of the most important law enforcement institutions is being prosecuted for the most serious forms of violations of human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

Press rls 21.01.2020.