Brcko District
Encyclopedia
Brčko District in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina
is a neutral, self-governing administrative unit, under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is formally part of both
BiH entities
, the Republika Srpska
, and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
.
(IEBL). The Brčko District was formed of the entire territory of the former Brčko municipality, of which 48% (including Brčko
city) was in the Republika Srpska, while 52% was in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the war, the EU
has maintained a diplomatic peace-keeping presence in the area.
In 2006 under the Supervisory Order all "Entity legislation in Brčko District and the IEBL" were abolished. The ruling made by the Brčko Supervisor Susan Johnson abolishes all Entity Laws in the District also abolishes the Entity Border Line. The ruling makes the Laws of the District and the Laws of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina (including the laws of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
) paramount within the District.
Brčko was the only element in the Dayton Peace Agreement which was not finalized. The arbitration agreement was finalized in March 1999 resulting in a "district" as mentioned above which was to be administrated by international representation with ambassador status.
The first Ambassador representing the District of Brčko arrived in April 1997. Prior to that time, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) had a modest office headed by Randolph Hampton. During the interim time before the District of Brčko could be represented post arbitration agreement, local elections were held, humanitarian relief was provided with cooperation from USAID
and ECHO
. The District became known as a center for different state building programs run by foreign governments, particularly the United States. For a history of Brčko District since the end of the Bosnian war in 1995, see Matthew Parish
, A Free City in the Balkans: Reconstructing a Divided Society in Bosnia (I.B.Tauris 2009).
Since 1991, there has been no official census conducted.
By party:
By ethnicity:
By gender:
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
is a neutral, self-governing administrative unit, under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is formally part of both
Condominium (international law)
In international law, a condominium is a political territory in or over which two or more sovereign powers formally agree to share equally dominium and exercise their rights jointly, without dividing it up into 'national' zones.Although a condominium has always been...
BiH entities
Political divisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The political divisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina were created by the Dayton Agreement, which recognized a second tier of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina comprising two entities—a joint Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska -- each presiding over roughly one half of...
, the Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska is one of two main political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
, and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the two political entities that compose the sovereign country of Bosnia and Herzegovina . The two entities are delineated by the Inter-Entity Boundary Line...
.
History
Brčko District was established after an arbitration process undertaken by the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to Dayton Peace Accords however, the process could only arbitrate the disputed portion of the Inter-Entity Boundary LineInter-Entity Boundary Line
The Inter-Entity Boundary Line divides Bosnia and Herzegovina into two entities, the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
(IEBL). The Brčko District was formed of the entire territory of the former Brčko municipality, of which 48% (including Brčko
Brcko (city)
Brčko is a city in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, administrative seat of the Brčko District. It lies on the country's border along the Sava river across from Gunja, Croatia...
city) was in the Republika Srpska, while 52% was in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the war, the EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
has maintained a diplomatic peace-keeping presence in the area.
In 2006 under the Supervisory Order all "Entity legislation in Brčko District and the IEBL" were abolished. The ruling made by the Brčko Supervisor Susan Johnson abolishes all Entity Laws in the District also abolishes the Entity Border Line. The ruling makes the Laws of the District and the Laws of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina (including the laws of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina , known until 1963 under the name of People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was a socialist state that was a constituent country of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia...
) paramount within the District.
Brčko was the only element in the Dayton Peace Agreement which was not finalized. The arbitration agreement was finalized in March 1999 resulting in a "district" as mentioned above which was to be administrated by international representation with ambassador status.
The first Ambassador representing the District of Brčko arrived in April 1997. Prior to that time, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections...
(OSCE) had a modest office headed by Randolph Hampton. During the interim time before the District of Brčko could be represented post arbitration agreement, local elections were held, humanitarian relief was provided with cooperation from USAID
United States Agency for International Development
The United States Agency for International Development is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas...
and ECHO
ECHO (European Commission)
The Humanitarian Aid department of the European Commission , formerly known as the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office, is the European Commission's department for overseas humanitarian aid...
. The District became known as a center for different state building programs run by foreign governments, particularly the United States. For a history of Brčko District since the end of the Bosnian war in 1995, see Matthew Parish
Matthew Parish
Matthew Parish is a lawyer and scholar of international relations. He is best known for his writings about the politics of the western Balkans, in particular his prediction of the secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina and his criticisms of the international community's presence...
, A Free City in the Balkans: Reconstructing a Divided Society in Bosnia (I.B.Tauris 2009).
1971 census
According to 1971 census Municipality of Brčko had 74,771 inhabitants, including:- MuslimsMuslims by nationalityMuslims by nationality was a term used in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as an official designation of nationality of Slavic Muslims. They were one of the constitutive groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
- 30,181 (40.36%) - CroatsCroatsCroats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
- 24,925 (33.33%) - SerbsSerbsThe Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
- 17,709 (23.68%) - YugoslavsYugoslavsYugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
- 1,086 (1.45%) - others - 870 (1.18%)
1981 census
According to 1981 census Municipality of Brčko had 82,768 inhabitants, including:- MuslimsMuslims by nationalityMuslims by nationality was a term used in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as an official designation of nationality of Slavic Muslims. They were one of the constitutive groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
- 32,434 (39.19%) - CroatsCroatsCroats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
- 23,975 (28.97%) - SerbsSerbsThe Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
- 16,707 (20.18%) - YugoslavsYugoslavsYugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
- 8,342 (10.08%) - others - 1,310 (1.58%)
1991 census
According to 1991 census Municipality of Brčko had 87,627 inhabitants, including:- MuslimsMuslims by nationalityMuslims by nationality was a term used in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as an official designation of nationality of Slavic Muslims. They were one of the constitutive groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
- 38,617 (44,07%) - CroatsCroatsCroats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
- 22,252 (25.39%) - SerbsSerbsThe Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
- 18,128 (20.69%) - YugoslavsYugoslavsYugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
- 5,731 (6.54%) - others - 2,899 (3.31%)
Since 1991, there has been no official census conducted.
Government and politics
There are 29 seats in the Assembly of the Brčko District. The seats are divided as follows:By party:
- 6 Serbian Democratic PartySerbian Democratic PartyThe Serbian Democratic Party is a political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is led by Mladen Bosić...
- 5 Social Democratic PartySocial Democratic Party of Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a multi-ethnic social-democratic political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina.The party is the successor of the League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was enlarged by the inclusion of the Socijaldemokrati BiH party to the original...
- 4 Party of Democratic ActionParty of Democratic ActionThe Party of Democratic Action is a Bosniak national political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina.-History:The Party of Democratic Action was founded in May 1990 by Alija Izetbegović, representing the Bosnian Muslim population...
- 3 Croatian Democratic UnionCroatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a political party of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is an observer member of the European People's Party ....
- 3 Party for Bosnia and HerzegovinaParty for Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina is a liberal conservative political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina led by Haris Silajdžić. On the issues of the internal divisions of Bosnia, SBiH wants to eliminate two entities, and establish a "one man-one vote political system" in an unified...
- 2 Alliance of Independent Social Democrats
- 2 Croatian Peasant PartyCroatian Peasant Party (Bosnia and Herzegovina)The Croatian Peasant Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Croatian political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina.In 2007, the division of the Croatian Peasant Party in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the New Croatian Initiative merged. The New Croatian Initiative was formed as a splinter group from the...
- 2 Socialist Party of the Republika SrpskaSocialist Party of the Republika SrpskaThe Socialist Party is a Serbian political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the signing of the Dayton Accord, the party became a vocal opponent of the government of Radovan Karadžić and the Serbian Democratic Party...
- 1 Democratic Party
- 1 Independent
By ethnicity:
- 13 BosniaksBosniaksThe Bosniaks or Bosniacs are a South Slavic ethnic group, living mainly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a smaller minority also present in other lands of the Balkan Peninsula especially in Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia...
- 11 SerbsSerbs of Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina are people of Serb ethnicity inhabiting the Balkan regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, or, since the establishment of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a state in the 1990s, the Serbs who have its citizenship. The Serbs are one of the three constitutive nations of this...
- 5 CroatsCroats of Bosnia and HerzegovinaCroats of Bosnia and Herzegovina form one of the three constitutive nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.There is no precise data regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina's population since the last war. Ethnic cleansing within Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s saw the vast majority of Croats move and take...
By gender:
- 27 men
- 2 women
See also
- Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
- Subdivisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Republika SrpskaRepublika SrpskaRepublika Srpska is one of two main political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
- Federation of Bosnia and HerzegovinaFederation of Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the two political entities that compose the sovereign country of Bosnia and Herzegovina . The two entities are delineated by the Inter-Entity Boundary Line...
