The authorities in the Republika Srpska (RS) do not give up their intention to criminalize defamation, although fines have been significantly reduced by the new legislative proposal.
Today, on July 18th, the National Assembly of this entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) should discuss the proposal to amend the Criminal Code, which envisages the criminalization of defamation.
The session of the entity parliament will be followed by protests by activists and journalists who have been the most vocal opponents of the law in recent months, warning that its goal is to introduce censorship and stifle freedom of speech.
If the Assembly of the RS approves the law, defamation, that is, making malicious or untrue statements about a person, will be declared a criminal offense for which no prison terms are provided, but there will be fines.
In the new text, fines are smaller
In the new text of the law, fines for defamation have been drastically reduced, and are set in the range of 1,000 to 3,000 euros, compared to the draft law that was approved by the Entity Assembly at the end of March.
Higher fines are prescribed in situations where defamation is presented in the media, including social networks or at a public gathering.
‘‘The law is still scandalous’‘
Sinisa Vukelic, president of the Banja Luka Journalists’ Club, explained that the essence of the law remained the same, although the fines were significantly reduced.
“Even if the fines are five BAM, that is not as important as the criminal process that can be conducted against journalists or any individual. At the same time, we know that these processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina last for five years,” emphasized Vukelic, Radio Slobodna Evropa reports.
E.Dz.
