After the association “Bosnian Community Council NSW Australia” sent a letter to the Government of Australia on March 9th, 2025, in which they expressed great concern over the current political crisis and security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) arising from the unconstitutional actions of the authorities in the Republika Srpska (RS) entity.
In their letter, among other things, they requested an official position from the Government of Australia regarding the current political crisis in BiH, and they received a response yesterday.
“Australia is home to more than 200.000 people of BiH origin, many of whom fled during the war from 1992 to 1995, experienced ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, and injustice caused by war crimes. Many are deeply concerned that Dodik’s actions are a direct attack on the constitutional order of BiH, which irresistibly resembles the pre-war tactics from the early nineties that led to immeasurable violence and suffering.
Specifically, the risk of escalating tensions, undermining state institutions, and the potential for armed conflict has placed Bosnians and Australians in a state of distress. As such, we are now witnessing a revival of the past and traumas in relation to a direct threat to their identity and heritage,” the letter states, among other things.
Anthony Albanese expressed gratitude but also an unambiguous message of support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH.
“Australia strongly supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional order of BiH, as well as its continued peace and multiethnic character. We continue to support the role and legitimacy of the High Representative, Mr. Christian Schmidt, in overseeing the implementation of the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement. Australia is deeply concerned about recent events that are destabilizing the national institutions of BiH and fueling ethnic tensions. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued a statement calling on leaders in BiH to act in the interest of all citizens, and our ambassador H.E. Mr. Ian Biggs continues to engage in addressing this crisis,” the response states.
The Government of Australia also condemned the actions of all those who seek to undermine the constitutional order of the state of BiH, emphasizing support for the Office of the High Representative (OHR) as well as the High Representative in BiH. The letter emphasizes that the Government of Australia, together with its international friends, will monitor the situation in BiH and that through the actions of the Australian Ambassador Ian Biggs, it will be involved in monitoring the situation in BiH.
In the end, the Government of Australia called on all political leaders and officials in BiH to direct their actions in the interest of all citizens in BiH, Klix.ba writes.
