Bosnia and Herzegovina could hold a population census in 2012, marking the first since the end of the war in 1995, government talks indicate.
Last Thursday, the Council of Ministers in Bosnia adopted a proposal to amend the country’s Law on Population Census.
If the proposal goes on to be approved by parliament, the census will be held from October 1-15 in 2012.
Until now, a special provision in the law has prevented a new census being held. Article 48 in the Constitution stipulates that the results of the last census, held in 1991, should be applied until all refugees of the war have returned to their pre-war homes.
The new proposal, supported by some parties from the Republika Srpska, suggests making it a requirement for people to state their ethno-cultural backgrounds. Some parties from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina do not consider this necessary.
Zdenko Milinovic, director of the State Agency for Statistics, said that his agency would approach the census from a professional standpoint and not a political one.
"For us it is important that the articles of the law are in compliance with EU regulations, international regulations and recommendations of the United Nations," Milinovic said.
Vice-president of leading Bosniak party SDA, Halid Genjac, acknowledged that views differed the way the census should be conducted but said a compromise should be sought.
He said: "The constitutions stipulate that until the complete implementation of Annex 7 of the Dayton Agreement, which is all about the return of refugees and displaced people, the government structure will be based on the 1991 census. That is not acceptable for the parties of the Republika Srpska. Therefore, we should seek a compromise."
The SNSD also agreed that a census is necessary. The party initiated an attempt to adopt the law in the RS Parliament in February, but abandoned it after deciding that a census at that point would be an unnecessary waste of money, as the results would not be relevant.
A census provides more than just a population count. It gives a precise economic and social picture of a country, compiling basic demographic, ethnic, educational and economic information, and charting migratory trends. Economic analysis and foreign investment in countries often relies upon accurate and up to date information provided in such censuses.
Neighbouring countries Croatia, Montenegro and Kosovo have all conducted recent censuses. Serbia is expected to undertake one this autumn.
Bosnia will be the only country in Europe that has not conducted a population census by the end of this year.
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