Article 8 The Protector of Citizens, i.e. his/her Deputies, shall take office the moment he/she swears the oath. If the Protector of Citizens, i.e. his/her Deputies, fails to take office within 30 days from the day he/she swore the oath without justifiable reason, he/she shall be deemed not elected. This fact is concluded by the National Assembly on the basis of a Committee's notification. In such event, the procedure for the election of a new Protector of Citizens, i.e. his/her Deputies, is immediately initiated. Article 9 The Protector of Citizens, i.e. his/her Deputies, shall not hold other public office, perform another professional activity, or any duty or task that might influence their independence and autonomy. The Protector of Citizens and his/her Deputies shall not be members of political organisations. The Protector of Citizens and his/her Deputies shall have the status of officials pursuant to the law regulating the conflict of interests in performing public functions, and the provisions of this Law shall fully apply to them. All public, professional and other functions of the Protector of Citizens and/or Deputies, i.e. the duties or tasks they have been performing, which are opposite to the provisions of this Law, as well as membership in a political party, shall cease on the day of taking office. Article 10 The Protector of Citizens and his/her Deputies shall not be held accountable for opinion, criticism or recommendation they made while performing their function. The Protector of Citizens and his/her Deputies shall not make any political statements. Article 11 The term of office of the Protector of Citizens shall cease in the following cases: • with the end of mandate, unless he/she is re-appointed; • in case of death; • by resigning from office; • by loss of citizenship, which is determined based on the act of the competent state body; • by meeting requirements for mandatory retirement pursuant to the law; • by becoming permanently physically or mentally unable to carry out his/her duties, which is determined on the basis of documentation of relevant medical institution • by dismissal. Article 12 The Protector of Citizens shall be dismissed from office by the National Assembly, following the proposal of the Committee or at least one third of the total number of deputies. If the Committee initiates the motion for dismissal, it must be supported by a majority of the members of the Committee. The Protector of Citizens may be dismissed only in the following cases: