The Government of the Republic of Srpska more frequently proposes laws in urgent procedure

TI BiH appeals to the President of the National Assembly of RS and all MPs not to allow the violation of the procedural rules by the groundless urgent legislative procedures that undermine the democratic order.

Banja Luka, 17th May 2016 – The Government of the Republic of Srpska submitted subsequently to the today’s session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska the overall of seven draft laws on the amendments to the current laws in urgent procedure. These are the following: Draft Law on the Amendments to the Law on Games of Chance, Draft Law on the Amendments to the Law on Inspections, Draft Law on the Amendments to the Law on Tax Procedure, Draft Law on the Amendments to the Law on Public Services, Draft Law on the Amendments to the Law on Crafts and Entrepreneurial Activities, Draft Law on the Amendments to the Law on Taxes for Using, Keeping and Carrying Goods, draft Law on the Amendments to the Law on Execution of Criminal Sanctions.
Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH) indicates that the procedural rules prescribe proposing draft laws under urgent procedure as an extraordinary tool that needs specific requirements to be met, and petitioners to explain reasons for the urgent procedure. For example, the Government of the Republic of Srpska in its explanation of why the Draft Law on the Amendments to the Law on Inspections was submitted under an urgent procedure, emphasized that the same proposal had already been discussed, but it had not been supported by the parliamentary committees and that it was a reform law. This example demonstrates the way in which the Government explains the reasons of urgency, believing that the fact that the proposal was not adopted in an earlier consideration is enough qualification to submit it for consideration under an urgent procedure.
TI BiH appeals to the President of the National Assembly of RS and all MPs not to allow the violation of the operative procedures by the groundless urgent legislative procedures that undermine the democratic order and the right on timely political action of the MPs, other interested parties and broad public. We particularly appeal to the President of the NA of RS to use his powers and to propose that all controversial proposals are considered at the session of the National Assembly so to leave enough time for the MPs to get to know the working material. The implementation of the urgent legislative procedures excludes the interested public and citizens from the decision-making processes, in which way the elementary democratic standards are violated. The Parliament should warn the executive power that this kind of behaviour actually intends to takeover the jurisdiction of the legislator since it minors the role and importance of the legislative body and the general public.

Press rls – 17 05 2016 eng