The city administration of Stolac announced that the Majlis of the Islamic Community (IZ) of Stolac does not have a legally valid permit for the construction of a harem, since the earlier permit was canceled because the land in the land registers is kept as state-owned agricultural land.
Despite this, they state that on August 23, organized by the Majlis from Stolac, illegal works continued without a valid building permit, with the participation of certain representatives, ministers and religious officials, for which the City will file criminal charges based on the FBiH Construction Law, the City of Stolac announced.
“Instead of advocating for respect for the laws and institutions of the public authorities of this country, their actions directly call for the violation of laws and disrespect for institutions. The City will file criminal charges against all participants in illegal construction and usurpation of state property for committing criminal offenses established by the FBiH Construction Law,” the City states.
In response to statements that the permit for the construction of a harem is still in force, the City Administration points out that it has issued a decision to annul the previous permit for the construction of a harem.
“The reason for the annulment is the established illegality, the land in question is registered in the land registers as agricultural land (arable land) in state ownership, and this fact constitutes the legal basis for the annulment of the permit. Accordingly, judicial and administrative practice and legal interpretation are that such a construction permit could never have produced legal effect, since it was legally invalid from the moment of its issuance. Consequently, all legal actions that arose from that permit are legally invalid and cannot be subsequently strengthened, because it is about protecting the public interest,” the City of Stolac states.
They emphasize that the City Administration, in order to find a solution and respecting human rights and the right to burial of Bosniak Muslims in Stolac, offered a legal solution and a new location, and provided funds through the city budget for the purchase of land in the urban area of the city.
“For this reason, we are surprised by the support that individual officials and the entire public give to such illegal actions. Regardless of whether we are ministers, representatives, city councilors, religious officials and other persons holding public office, we are all obliged to respect the laws and institutions of this country, and not publicly support illegal actions that lead to the disruption of interethnic relations and the security situation in the city. The city administration clearly emphasizes its commitment to consistent respect for the laws and constitutional order of this country. Within this framework and with full respect for the right of all citizens to a dignified burial, it is ready to actively participate in finding a legal solution to this problem,” the statement reads.
