The High Representative of the International Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, did not want to comment on the indictment against the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, due to non-compliance with the decisions of the OHR.
In an interview with Voice of America (VOA), he said that the decisions of the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH are a matter of the rule of law.
Schmidt also spoke about possible measures against the President of the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, financial sanctions for this entity, and about the incrimination of femicide as a special criminal offense in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Voice of America: Croatian President Zoran Milanović commented on the indictment against Milorad Dodik, saying that you are using your powers to protect yourself and that you should be concerned with the protection of the Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. What are his claims about?
Schmidt: Every president of a member state of the European Union or of other countries deserves respect. I can’t say that for every opinion I read. His claim is more confusing than logical to me. Out of respect for the president of the country and the institution, I will not comment on such statements.
Voice of America: Will you accept the request of the Canadian Genocide Research Institute (IGK) and sanction the president of the NSRS, Nenad Stevandić, by banning him from holding any political office because he was included in the American blacklist for encouraging the passing of laws that disrespect your decisions? As stated in the criminal complaint, he also participated in war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Schmidt: I saw parts of the video in which Stevandić appears during the war in BiH, and I understand that the Institute from Canada is asking for an explanation. I have no ability to determine the validity, authenticity and context of that video material. His role during the war should be checked. He should not be deceived – justice applies to everyone, especially to people who perform public functions. I spoke about these issues on July 11 in Srebrenica. Together we must achieve that people who are perpetrators of criminal acts, war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide cannot hold public positions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That measure should be applied to everyone, when it comes to the behavior of anyone from the war period, including Stevandić.
Voice of America: Do you intend to use the Bonn powers and introduce additional sanctions against Dodik and other politicians, if they continue the policy of secession and the overthrow of the state?
Schmidt: It is a very important topic. Unfortunately, Dodik does not see the true reality. I am extremely concerned about the seriousness of such work in the RS. If we misunderstand the Dayton Agreement, as Dodik does, then it is a conscious misunderstanding. He must remain serious and earnest. Of course, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the bearer of international competences, and it is written in Dayton. These are not the RS, FBiH or Brčko District, they are all part of BiH and that should be its landmark. Denying the independence or attacking the independence of the Constitutional Court is unheard of. It is an attack on the entity. In that way, Dodik does not accept, that is, he violates my position and that of my office. This is contrary to international law. Although UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres clearly responded to the letter from BiH Presidency member Željka Cvijanović about my election, Dodik does not admit it. Why the theater and games? Have him change the wall he’s looking at and make it a different color. The High Representative remains an institution of the international community with the aim of ensuring peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I take that seriously. I want to say to Dodik and his friends that they better explain to him in a friendly way what the reality is, because he is working to make himself unbearable in the political sense. This will lead to great difficulties. Dodik should not underestimate the determination of the international community and should not think that he can fool everyone.
