The Party of Democratic Action will take legal action if the draft bill declares the Symbol of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina illegal and punishable on the territory of Republika Srpska. Edin Ramić, SDA MP at the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, told BHRT.
Speaking about the announced law, Ramić said that the authorities of Republika Srpska are trying to criminalize symbols related to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, noting that there is no legal basis for such a prohibition.
Announcement of an Appeal to the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ramić reminded that there were previous attempts to prohibit symbols featuring fleur-de-lis, but that courts in certain cases confirmed that their use is legal.
“Once the procedure passes at the National Assembly and the Council of Peoples, through authorized representatives, we will address the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and challenge those laws,” Ramić said.
He added that he believes this matter is being used to raise political tensions in the pre-electoral period.
Critique of the Judiciary and Returnee Protection
Commenting on the reactions of state institutions regarding the confiscation of flags with the fleur-de-lis and the punishment of citizens for displaying them, Ramić assessed that the state judiciary lacks responsibility in its work.
According to him, the lack of processing individuals who, as he said, are undermining the constitutional order and inter-ethnic relations encourages the continuation of such procedures.
Speaking about the positions of the returnees in Republika Srpska, he emphasized that institutions are under political influence and that, as he said, discrimination manifests itself across different areas of social life.
Citizens Advised to Seek Judicial Protection
Ramić considers that citizens sanctioned for displaying the flag with fleur-de-lis should use legal means and seek a judicial decision.
He emphasized that there is no judicial practice that bans the use of those symbols, and that eventual illegal proceedings should be reviewed through the accountability of officials who implement them.
“Administrative Pressure on Returnees Continues”
When asked about the influence of such a move on returnees’ everyday life, Ramić said that administrative pressure has been ongoing for years.
He emphasized that he believes relations among citizens are often better than institutional relations towards the returnee population, and that there is an attempt to suppress the identity of the marginalized communities in Republika Srpska through certain policies.
Pre-Electoral Topic and Mutual Performance of Pro-Bosnian Parties
Ramić believes that the symbol of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is being brought up ahead of the elections to mobilize the electorate through nationalist themes.
Speaking about the upcoming General Elections, he explained that he is a candidate for the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, not the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and said that SDA aims to form a joint list of pro-Bosnian parties in Republika Srpska to prevent wasted votes.
According to him, some of the parties refused such a model of cooperation due to political disagreements and differing interests regarding electoral lists.
