The High Representative and EU Special Representative (HR/EUSR) Christian Schwarz-Schilling met yesterday in Sarajevo with BiH Minister for Human Rights and Refugees (MHRR) Mirsad Kebo to discuss the status of the issue of certain police officials denied certification by IPTF.

The HR/EUSR informed Minister Kebo that he is due to address the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday next week. The HR/EUSR underlined that he intends to press the UNSC to state its view on addressing issue of certain police officials denied certification by IPTF.

The HR/EUSR has supported the efforts of the MHRR in its attempts to engage the UN in resolving this problem since May 2003. Over the past few months, the MHRR and the OHR/EUSR have provided the UN with additional information on the decertification issue.

During its mandate, the IPTF conducted a certification process for all police in BiH. The MHRR and OHR/EUSR have stressed that the UN must take the lead in addressing outstanding issues.