High Representative Christian Schmidt reiterated that a celebration of 9 January as the Day of Republika Srpska is a clear and direct failure to implement the final and binding decisions of the BiH Constitutional Court as well as the decisions of the High Representative of 1 July 2023.
He warned that a non-compliance with Constitutional Court decisions constitutes a criminal offense under the Bosnia and Herzegovina Criminal Code.
It is up to the law enforcement authorities, the BiH Prosecutor’s Office and police to take appropriate legally mandated next steps, especially in cases involving public officials or civil servants and their participation in the preparation or organization of the 9th January celebrations.
“The rule of law is an indispensable prerequisite for a stable and prosperous future for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but so are communication, dialogue, and compromise. These should be the guiding principles in deciding on a Day of Republika Srpska, as only then this will be a holiday that all citizens can embrace and celebrate and that can strengthen the bonds amongst RS citizens and not further divide them,” added the High Representative.