The High Representative of the International Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, reiterated that the celebration of January 9 as the Day of the Republika Srpska is a clear and direct failure to implement the final and binding decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the decision of the High Representative from July 1, 2023.
He warned that disobeying the decisions of the Constitutional Court constitutes a criminal offense under the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Schmidt stated that it is up to the law enforcement authorities, the BiH Prosecutor’s Office and the police, to take appropriate next steps prescribed by law, especially in cases related to public officials and civil servants and their participation in the preparation or organization of the January 9 celebration.
“The rule of law is an indispensable prerequisite for a stable and prosperous future for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with communication, dialogue and compromise. These should be the guiding principles in deciding on the celebration of Republika Srpska Day, because only then will this be a holiday that everyone citizens can accept and celebrate and which can strengthen ties between the citizens of the RS, and not further divide them,” added the high representative.
