The unconstitutional actions orchestrated by Milorad Dodik have also raised the question of the future of Brcko District. It should be recalled that on March 8th, exactly 25 years ago, the establishment of Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) was officially proclaimed as a unique administrative unit under the direct sovereignty of BiH. Once again, it is at the center of attention. The main reason is not the commemoration of this anniversary but the rising political tensions involving politicians from both entities and the region.
The Birthday of Brcko District. The only truly multiethnic community in post-war BiH, which does not belong to any entity, has once again been highlighted as an example of coexistence in our country.
“Brcko District is a special environment and should serve as a model for everyone else.”; “Coexistence – we have always stood for it, and we always will.”; “I left here 20 years ago, but I came back. I returned because the District is the way it is.”; “BiH should function like Brcko District, based on the equality of the three constituent peoples, where we respect each other’s interests and, most importantly, do not live next to each other but with each other.”
While many congratulations are coming in, so are tensions due to the current political crisis in BiH. The biggest current struggle over Brcko District – which BiH entity will it belong to, and where will it fare better?
“If there were secession or separation, in that case, RS would automatically have nothing more to do with the District. It is a territory that remains under the jurisdiction of whoever is in BiH. Meaning, in this case, the Federation of BiH (FBiH),” says Munib Jusufovic, a participant in the Brcko arbitration.
However, the Office of the High Representative (OHR) warns.
“The Tribunal has jurisdiction over Brcko District until the Final Award is declared fully implemented. Paragraphs 13 and 67 of the Final Award clearly confirm this and leave no room for misinterpretation,” stated Louis Crishock, Supervisor for Brcko District of BiH.
Representatives of the Serb people in Brcko’s multiethnic government believe that the status of the District can only be changed through a parliamentary procedure at the state level.
“Any other statements and potential attempts to change Brcko’s status without a parliamentary amendment to the Constitution of BiH would essentially be a direct violation of the Constitution,” warns Sinisa Golic, a PDP representative in the Brcko District Assembly.
“Under the current conditions, it is absolutely clear to everyone that it is impossible to change the Constitution, as it was amended through this amendment. If we were to accept – let’s say we accept that the Bosniaks want this – it would require 28 votes. So, theoretically, de facto, there is never a possibility to change the Constitution,” emphasizes Jusufovic.
At the formal academy marking the District’s anniversary, it was highlighted that Brcko is a stable area that should continue to build peace, coexistence, and tolerance. It was also emphasized that Brcko should serve as an example to the rest of BiH of how people can live together, even in these difficult times.
