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Europe and the reshaped global order / Policy Brief

Breaking the impasse: Constitutional reform in Bosnia

02/03/2011 By Sofia Sebastián

Drawing lessons from previous efforts, the EU should clearly outline a comprehensive roadmap for required constitutional change and draw on international support to back the effort. While the EU has tired of trying to impose political conditions, the absence of a defined strategy on this issue is likely to undermine Bosnia’s transition to full ownership. Ultimately, the EU will need to demonstrate to both local and international actors that it has the will and capacity to take on a leadership role.

While the world focuses on Egypt and the protests in the Middle East, the stakes for Bosnia and the Balkan region could not be higher. Failure to comply with the ECHR could result in Bosnia’s expulsion from the Council of Europe and the EU’s refusal to ratify the Association and Stabilisation Agreement. The future of Bosnia hangs in the balance.

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Keywords

Bosnia-Herzegovina Council of Europe European Union Human rights Political Reform Western Balkans

Bio author: Sofia Sebastián

Bosnia. Kosovo. State-building. Divided societies. Conflict.