Executive Order 13568: Extending Provisions of the International Organizations Immunities Act to the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Civilian Office in Kosovo
President: Barack Obama
Granted two international civilian oversight offices specified privileges exemptions and immunities under US law.
Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13568 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13568 remains an unrevoked designation under the International Organizations Immunities Act. The Federal Register disposition table lists no withdrawal of that designation. The Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina continues; the Kosovo office’s closure in September 2012 does not itself revoke the designation for the surviving organization. Sources: Current Federal Register executive order disposition table: 2011; Executive Order 13568: signed Federal Register text; Office of the High Representative, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What does Executive Order 13568 do?
EO 13568 designated the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Civilian Office in Kosovo under the International Organizations Immunities Act. That designation gave the organizations and qualifying personnel protections needed for official functions in the United States. OHR continues to operate, while the Kosovo office completed its mandate and closed in September 2012.
Later evidence reviewed September 23, 2026: The Office of the High Representative continues its Bosnia mandate. Office of the High Representative. This continuing international mandate is context for the US policy instruction; it is not proof of a specific US agency action under the order.
Before and after
Before the order
The two civilian implementation bodies lacked this US statutory designation.
After the order
They could receive covered legal capacities, tax or customs privileges and immunities for official functions.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| State Department | Recognize and administer the designation | Continuing as applicable |
| OHR | Use privileges for official functions | Continuing |
| International Civilian Office | Exercise privileges during its mandate | Ended |
What happened next
EO 13568 designated both organizations.
The International Civilian Office in Kosovo closed.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
22 USC 288–288f authorizes the President to extend, condition or withdraw specified privileges. The scope depends on the statute, the order and official-function limits.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
Background sources
Independent reporting or analysis used only for context.
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 23, 2026. How we research →