Human Rights Issues in the EU Accession Negotiations: The Case of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Only a few years after the conclusion of armed conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the country embarked on its path toward European Union (EU) accession (a process deemed essential by political elites and one of the few issues with broad consensus among its citizens). However, progress has been slow, and the reforms required to meet the Copenhagen criteria have not produced satisfactory results yet. In 2016, BiH applied for EU membership, prompting the European Commission to issue its Opinion on the Application for Membership in 2019. This document outlined 14 key priorities, covering areas, such as democracy, government functionality, the rule of law, fundamental rights, and public administration reform. The European Commission’s Opinion was accompanied by an Analytical Report, a comprehensive document identifying 115 specific priorities aligned with the political and economic criteria and the chapters of the Acquis Communautaire. This study examines the implementation of the priorities outlined in the European Commission’s Opinion, with a particular emphasis on human rights protection, the rule of law strengthening, and judicial reform. Special attention is given to the provisions introduced by the Law on Amendments to the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH, aimed at enhancing the accountability of both Council members and judicial office holders.