The Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has so far filed 70 cases related to inciting national, racial and religious hatred, discord and intolerance in accordance with the amendments to the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which were imposed by the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 2021.
Only one case resulted in a conviction. christian Schmidt reacting to the statement of the President of Republika Srpska on the denial of genocide, called on the competent institutions to adequately investigate and prosecute such cases.
Less than two years after the imposition of amendments to the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which prohibit the denial of genocide, none of the 70 cases were formed on the basis of reports submitted by police authorities, with evidence and witness statements, the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina points out. They state that reports were most often filed by citizens against other citizens due to posts or comments on social networks, and by citizens and non-governmental organizations against politicians due to statements in public space.
“The Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina filed several indictments for the criminal offense of inciting national, racial and religious hatred, discord and intolerance from Article 145a, whereby only in the case of members of the Ravnogorski movement in Višegrad was a conviction brought. It is noticeable that after the introduction of changes in the law, hate speech and denial of crimes, in the media as well as in the Internet space, has significantly decreased,” claimed Boris Grubešić, spokesman for the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The OHR sent an invitation to the competent institutions to process cases of genocide denial. Regarding the recent statements of the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, Schmidt pointed out that “there is no place for glorifying war criminals and denying genocide in a civilized society. Only an honest, truthful and responsible approach to the events of the past can ensure a future filled with mutual understanding and common prosperity for all .”
