prijava
BANJA LUKA, January 21 (FENA) - Transparency International in BiH (TI BiH) has called on the Council of Ministers to reject BiH Minister of Security Fahrudin Radončić's proposal to appoint Darko Ćulum as director of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA).
They recall that Ćulum has been Director of the Republika Srpska Police at a time when the institution was facing serious allegations of violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms.
The citizens of Banja Luka reported to the Ombudsman Institution, civil society organizations and internal police controls cases of harassment at police premises, the use of excessive force and unprofessional behavior of several police officers, especially towards civic activists.
“At the same time, contrary to international practice, and contrary to warnings of local and international organizations, the police, headed by Darko Ćulum, have directed all their resources to ban public gatherings in Banja Luka for a certain group of people, which is why the proceedings before the District Court are underway.” It is said in a statement.
TI BiH has filed multiple criminal charges against police officers for suspected violent behavior and abuse of powers, all of which was directed against members of the 'Justice for David' group and other Banja Luka citizens who have been supporting this group.
“We believe that the appointment of Darko Ćulum as director of SIPA, or an institution whose mandate is to combat organized and most serious forms of crime, only leads to a further collapse of citizens' confidence in authorities, and their commitment to end crime and corruption. We urge the Council of Ministers not to appoint Darko Ćulum as director of SIPA because it would mean that a person who has been prosecuted for grave violation of human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution is appointed as head of one of the most important law enforcement institutions,” it is stated from TI BiH.
(FENA) A. B.
