The new members of the State Judicial Council (DSV) from the ranks of parliamentary deputies, Arsen Bauk and Drazen Bosnjakovic, were sworn in on Thursday.

In a short speech that preceded the oath-taking ceremony, Supreme Court President Djuro Sessa said that the DSV was defined as an independent body that ensures the autonomy of the judicial authorities, the Supreme Court said in a statement.

Sessa said that because of this, and considering the fact that both new DSV members were known as persons who defend their views in a reasoned and patient way, respecting democratic customs, he hoped that they would use their advantages and virtues not only in the work of the DSV but also to depict the situation in the judiciary in a complete and realistic way, thus defending its autonomy.

The DSV decides independently on the appointment, promotion, reassignment and dismissal of as well as on disciplinary proceedings against judges and court presidents, not including the Supreme Court president.

The body has 11 members – seven judges, two university law professors and two members of parliament, of whom one is a member of the Opposition.