PRESS RELEASE OF THE SENATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZENICA

An extraordinary session of the Senate of the University of Zenica was held today, and the following statement was made:

• The Senate condemns the adoption of amendments to the Law on Higher Education of the Canton of ZDK through a summary procedure. The amendments to the aforementioned law apply only to this University, and the University did not have the opportunity to participate through its representatives in the adoption of amendments to the Law, nor did it have the opportunity to express its views on the proposed amendments through a public discussion. The Senate therefore believes that the process of preparing amendments to the law was carried out in a non-transparent manner, with the aim of creating a privileged position for certain groups and individuals, as well as granting excessive powers to government officials and their representatives.
• The proposed amendments to the Law on Higher Education of the Canton of ZDK are contrary to the decisions of the Constitutional Court No.: U – 22/18, U-10/21 and U – 9/22, because they violate academic freedom and the autonomy of the University, and the legislator is requested to suspend the adoption of such amendments to the Law, and to return the Law to the regular adoption procedure.
• The Senate opposes the process of taking away its powers through proposing such legal solutions and transferring the Senate's powers to the Governing Board, which is also contrary to the positions of the European Commission, decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH, as well as the Framework Law on Higher Education of BiH.
• The Senate calls on the competent authorities to initiate appropriate proceedings against responsible persons who insist on passing laws contrary to the decisions of the Constitutional Court and to stop unconstitutional actions.
• The Senate expresses the view that the proposed amendments and supplements, as well as the manner of implementing the procedure for adopting amendments and supplements to the Law on Higher Education of the Canton of Zenica, may have negative effects on the rights arising from the employment status of employees of the University of Zenica, and that there has been a violation of the principle of equal treatment of employees in such a way that individuals receive privileges and others are deprived of their existing rights, which is in direct contradiction to the principle of non-discrimination, and raises the question of corrupt practices;
• From the explanation of the proposal for amendments to the Law on Higher Education, it is not clear whether the regulatory impact assessment procedure was carried out and what justifies the adoption of such amendments and additions, using a summary procedure, only two years after the new Law on Higher Education of the ZDC was adopted.