II) RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS

1.Without the rule of law and an independent and impartial judiciary, there can be no future for Bosnia and Herzegovina as a modern, prosperous European nation.No safeguards for the people of either Entity.No prospect of large-scale investment from outside.No chance of closer association with the European institutions.Building the rule of law, founded on an independent judiciary and a reliable police force, will be a top priority for 1999.

2.Judicial reform: The Council emphasizes the importance of intensified judicial reform efforts, co-ordinated by the High Representative, to support the efforts of the authorities in BiH. In 1999, it urges the High Representative to further develop a comprehensive judicial reform strategic plan, identifying short and longer-term priorities, in consultation with the authorities, the Council of Europe, OSCE, UNMIBH and other organizations. It welcomes the establishment of UNMIBH's  Judicial System Assessment Program to examine technical, institutional and political impediments to judicial reform, and looks forward to its full integration within the  High Representative's judicial reform strategic plan. It also welcomes the co-operation of the Council of Europe, OSCE and other agencies in a co-ordinated program of judicial restructuring and training. The Council calls upon all international and non- governmental organizations, as well as governments and donors able to support judicial reform in BiH, to co-operate fully with the High Representative in the development and implementation of the plan.

3. Such a plan will include, among other things:

• the adoption, by 30 June 1999, of legislation to achieve an independent and impartial judiciary, focusing on judicial and prosecutorial appointments, adequate salaries and objective standards for appointment of judges and prosecutors, consistent with those of European democratic practice, and the promotion of a multi-ethnic judiciary throughout BiH;
• adoption of judicial and prosecutorial codes of ethics as well as the establishment of a disciplinary and dismissal system based on these standards by 30 June 1999;
• a strengthening of the role of Entity-level prosecutors and their de- politicization;
• training of legal professionals through the establishment of Judicial Training Centers as well as through the provision of supporting materials and resources;
• improving access to justice by strengthening local law centers, and better public information about the rights of citizens and the availability of legal assistance;
• the establishment of necessary structures at BiH State and Entity levels to fulfill the requirements of the respective Constitutions, including the creation, in accordance with the opinion of the Venice Commission, of judicial institutions at the State level, whose creation meets an established constitutional need, to deal with criminal offences perpetrated by BiH public

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