The Government of the Republika Srpska approved today the Draft Law on Amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republika Srpska, which introduces two new criminal offenses – public promotion and glorification of Ustasha and the Ustasha ideology of the NDH, and public display and promotion of the flags and symbols of the RBiH Army.
The proposed amendments provide for sentences of two to five years in prison.
“The adoption of the amendment to this law came after the adoption of the Resolution on the condemnation and prohibition of promoting and glorifying the ideology and symbols of the NDH and the Ustasha, Nazi and fascist ideology and symbols, as well as the parliamentary conclusions, unanimously adopted at the 35th special session,” the Government Public Relations Bureau announced.
“With the aim of protecting society and suppressing the spread of ideology that promotes hatred and intolerance in the public space, this legal solution incriminates the promotion and glorification of the ideology and symbols of the NDH and Ustasha, Nazi and Fascist ideologies and symbols, foresees appropriate sanctions and punishments,” added the Government.
It is stipulated that anyone who, through the press, radio, television, computer system, social network or in any other way, in a public place or public gathering promotes, glorifies, spreads, supports or encourages positive evaluation, acceptance of Ustasha or Ustasha ideology of the NDH, will be punished with imprisonment for up to three years.
The same penalty will be imposed on anyone who publicly points out, displays, wears, produces, reproduces or otherwise puts into circulation symbols, signs, flags, greetings, slogans or other contents that promote or glorify the Ustasha or the Ustasha ideology of the NDH.
If, as a result of the commission of this criminal act, disorder, violence, harassment of the public or other serious consequences for the common life of the people and others living in the Republic of Srpska have occurred, the perpetrator will be punished with imprisonment of two to five years, as well as the organizer or person who finances or otherwise assists the commission of the criminal act.
When it comes to the criminal act of publicly highlighting and promoting the flags and symbols of the RBiH Army, it is stipulated that anyone who publicly highlights, displays, wears, produces, reproduces or otherwise puts into circulation flags, symbols, signs, greetings, slogans that promote or glorify this army, will be punished with imprisonment for up to three years.
“If, as a result of the commission of this criminal act, riots, violence, harassment of the public or other serious consequences for the common life of the people and others living in the Republika Srpska occur, the perpetrator will be punished with a prison sentence of two to five years,” the announcement stated.
At today’s session, the Government of the Republika Srpska adopted the Proposal of the Law on Amendments to the Law on Cemeteries and Funeral Services under an urgent procedure.
After the adoption of the Resolution on the condemnation and prohibition of promotion and glorification of the ideology and symbols of the NDH and Ustasha, Nazi and Fascist ideologies and symbols, the National Assembly adopted a Conclusion in which it tasked the Government of the RS to draft and submit amendments to the Law on Cemeteries and Funeral Services within 60 days.
“This act would legally regulate the removal of monuments and symbols that promote and glorify the ideology of the NDH and the Ustasha Nazi and fascist ideology, and which offend the religious, moral and national feelings of the Serbian people,” the Government stated.
In order for the law to enter into force, it needs to be adopted by the National Assembly of the RS.
