Democratic oversight of the defence and security sector remains fundamental to stability, accountability, and public trust in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this context, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, met with the leadership of the Joint Committee on Defence and Security, the Parliamentary Military Commissioner, and the Citizens' Complaint Board to review progress, address ongoing challenges, and reaffirm the Mission's continued support to parliamentary oversight institutions.
Since its establishment, the Mission has worked closely with Bosnia and Herzegovina's defence and security sector institutions, supporting the development of effective oversight mechanisms as a core element of its mandate. This co-operation began with the Mission's active role in establishing the Joint Committee on Defence and Security, the Joint Committee for Oversight of the Intelligence-Security Agency, and the Office of the Parliamentary Military Commissioner, thereby contributing to the institutional framework for strengthened civilian and democratic control.
"As elected and appointed officials, you play an essential role in ensuring civilian and democratic control of security forces, a cornerstone of stability and prosperity," Ambassador Holtzapple said. "Sustained commitment to effective oversight is critical to ensuring that defence and security institutions operate transparently, responsibly, and in full accordance with democratic principles and the rule of law."
The discussion also addressed ongoing challenges, including the slow pace of adopting defence and security legislation and the limited implementation of oversight recommendations, underscoring the importance of continued engagement and political will to advance reform efforts.
With the current mandate of the oversight bodies nearing its conclusion, the meeting offered an opportunity to reflect on achievements and identify priorities for the next phase of work. The Mission reiterated its readiness to continue supporting parliamentary oversight institutions in advancing accountability, transparency, and democratic governance of the defence and security sector.
