The House of Lords of the UK Parliament will hold a discussion on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 11. Beforethe session, the institution released a report on the country.
The report focuses on: secessionist rhetoric in Bosnia and Herzegovina, concerns about foreign influence, and uncertainty regarding the future of international oversight of the implementation of the Dayton Agreement, as stated in the document.
The report warns that political tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina have remained high for over three decades since the war and almost 31 years after the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Special attention is given to the actions of the former president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik. His weakening of state institutions and alignment with Serbian policy have raised concerns among Western countries.
The report notes that Dodik was condemned in 2025 for failing to implement the High Representative’s decisions. Following the accusation, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted laws rejecting the authority of state judicial and police institutions within the entity’s territory.
Although he is banned from performing public duties for six years, the document states that Dodik still has significant political influence through his associates. His successor as President of Republika Srpska, Siniša Karan, according to statements in the report, announced the continuation of Dodik’s policies. The report by the House of Lords also highlights controversies related to Karan’s 2025 election, after which the Central Election Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina identified irregularities. Part of the vote had to be repeated due to these irregularities.
The document warns about the state of democracy and human rights. Citing the report by UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor, it states that human rights activists operate in a deeply divided society where institutions are subject to political influence, corruption is widespread, and patriarchal attitudes persist.
Foreign influence is noted as one of the key challenges. Russia continues to offer political support to the authorities of Republika Srpska and opposes the role of the Office of the High Representative (OHR). The report also cites analysis by the European Council for Foreign Affairs, according to which Moscow’s long-term goal is to keep Bosnia and Herzegovina divided and dysfunctional, as well as to prevent the development of an independent foreign policy.
The authors of the report stated that the issue of Bosnia and Herzegovina was highlighted during the final discussion in the UN Security Council, where most countries supported the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, European reforms, and its path toward EU membership.
At the same time, several delegations warned about the danger of nationalist and incendiary rhetoric, reminding that the events leading to the genocide in Srebrenica began with the demonization of entire communities.
The report also includes warnings from experts in the Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes, who believe that Bosnia and Herzegovina still faces real existential risks, including the possibility of secessionist moves by Republika Srpska and the destabilizing influence of foreign actors. For this reason, they call for reinforcing the international security presence and investing in peace building processes.
The UK Government stated that it will continue to support the sovereignty and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including assistance in countering Russian misinformation and strengthening resilience to cyber threats.
Ahead of the general elections scheduled for October, London is closely monitoring the increase in anti-Dayton rhetoric, Islamophobia, and other narratives that deepen divisions in the country, Klix.ba writes.
