Today, the People’s Assembly of Republika Srpska (NSRS) urgently adopted amendments to the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska. The amendments introduce a three-year prison sentence for publicly displaying, showing, carrying, or promoting symbols, flags, signs, greetings, and paroles that glorify the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The MPS, among Bosniak people, announced an initiative to assess the constitutionality of the Law before the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina because, as they said, the Law is contrary to the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The amendments to the Criminal Code prescribe that publicly promoting or glorifying Ustashism and the Ustasha Ideology of the Independent State of Croatia, as well as promoting symbols and insignia promoting that ideology, will result in a three-year prison sentence, while cases in which such actions lead to unrest, violence, or other difficult circumstances predict two to five years in prison.
Also, the Law on Amendments to the Law on Cemeteries and Funeral Services was adopted. This law bans the placement of symbols and inscriptions that promote Ustasha, Nazi, or Fascist ideology on cemeteries and memorials.
The People’s Assembly of Republika Srpska also adopted a set of eight laws that will, as of August 1, increase salaries for budget beneficiaries by five percent, including employees in healthcare, education, and culture; public services; administrative bodies; the Ministry of the Interior; and the judiciary.
By expedited procedure, the amendments to the Law on Veterans’ Rights, Disabled Veterans, and Families of Fallen Soldiers were also adopted. The amendments include monetary allowance and the possibility of obtaining status for a new category of veterans residing in the Brčko District.
The MPs adopted amendments to the law regarding the Investment-Development Bank of the Republic of Srpska, funds of Republika Srpska, payment traffic, microcredit organizations, electronic money, fiscal responsibility, expropriation for infrastructure projects, and the Law on Obtaining Right to Free Legal Aid.
The Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Healthcare Chambers has also been adopted. This Law will be forwarded for expert discussion lasting 60 days.
The 39th Special Session will continue on July 14, when MPs will consider the remaining agenda items, which include decisions on the sale of a part of the share capital of the ‘Orao’ enterprise, new borrowings of the RS from the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (FAD), as well as several draft laws in the fields of energy and security.
