In an interview with N1, Edin Ramić, a member of the Party of Democratic Action and this party’s representative from Republika Srpska in the state House of Representatives, commented on the announced amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republika Srpska entity. According to these amendments, displaying the flag of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina would be punishable by up to three years in prison, including a penalty notice in the entity for displaying the flag of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The matters in question are legal flags of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Army. The authorities in Republika Srpska have no constitutional or legal basis to do so, but Republika Srpska law enforcement, driven by its legacy, continues to assault those unable to defend themselves. The Republika Srpska entity police never tried to stop bikers on their way to participate in the Peace March or to stand in front of the Peace March column or supporter groups, except when dealing with a small group of people, like in Zvornik, featuring minors from Divič, etc. The following will happen: they will attempt to vote it through the National Assembly, it will pass, and afterwards, the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina will address it and challenge it. It is clear that the SNSD and Mr. Dodik need to create political tension ahead of the elections, as they have nothing else to offer to citizens. He also tried to achieve this by provoking President Izetbegović, calling him names, accusing others of making physical threats against him, and raising the Ministry of Internal Affairs alert level. Unfortunately, this always happens ahead of the Srebrenica anniversary, and tension is upheld until the elections. I believe that the international community, which constantly hopes Dodik will change, will understand who they are dealing with, and as far as we are concerned, we will fight for our identity. He cannot order us how we will be called, in what language we will write, which symbols we will carry, and of course, we will protect our rights,” Ramić said.
When asked how to protect citizens while the legal battle is ongoing, Ramić proposes seeking a court ruling when a penalty warrant is issued or any other reports when dealing with the police.
“The court has no basis to prohibit those symbols, and then use different ways, from criminal prosecution to other sanctions, to go after the police officers who do this and who interpret the laws in their own way. The flag of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina has already been before the Court in Banja Luka, and, of course, its right to be displayed and publicly used has not been challenged. It does not provoke anyone, and not to mention that someone wants to suppress the symbols Bosniaks and Croats have on the territory of the Republika Srpska entity and turn that entity into a space for only one nation, these are some of their ambitions, which won’t be achieved,” Ramić concluded.
