The Human Rights House Banja Luka is deeply concerned about the development of the situation in the Republic of Srpska, which, in the last month, has culminated by adopting a series of problematic laws, conclusions and draft of the new Constitution of the Republic of Srpska, that push the citizens of the Republic of Srpska into further isolation and legal uncertainty.
Most of the laws were adopted in an emergency procedure, without proper consultations with the professional and general public. Some of the laws, such as the Law on the Protection of the Constitutional Order of the Republic of Srpska, amendments to the Criminal Code of the RS or the Law on a Special Register and Transparency of the Work of Non-Profit Organizations in the RS, contain problematic definitions, contrary to international standards for the protection of human rights, which can be interpreted differently and abused to the detriment of associations, media and/or citizens who publicly criticize and point out the omissions and harmful decisions and actions of those in power in the Republic of Srpska.
In addition, the arbitrariness of a small political interest group has completely rendered meaningless the work and activities of the highest legislative body in the Republic of Srpska – the National Assembly, which has been placed under the full control of the executive branch of government, and there is a fair question of why citizens participate in elections and elect their representatives to a body that does not reflect their will.
The consequences of such legislative moves will again be suffered by citizens whose movement, ability to do business and work, as well as the ability to publicly express their opinions, could be seriously restricted and limited.
The announcements of the establishment of para-intelligence services and the strict punishment of those who do not respect or do not carry out the decisions of the institutions and bodies of the Republic of Srpska are also worrying, which is the continuation of the creation of an atmosphere of fear and a kind of police state. As unquestionably committed to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, the members of the Human Rights House Banja Luka call for the withdrawal or annulment of adopted or proposed laws and for the respect of international instruments for the protection of human rights because we do not want Republic of Srpska to become an isolated territory; as well as for rejecting inflammatory and hateful narratives that unsettle people and make them feel disoriented and insecure.
Haven’t we already lost enough citizens who have decided to leave this politically unstable region?
How many more families, children, grandchildren… will leave before we realize the magnitude of the problem and raise our voices against partocracy, illegitimate restrictions on human rights and freedoms, and the militarization of a society already deeply wounded by the artificially induced political crisis.
