The adoption of a law in the Republika Srpska that criminalizes defamation threatens the ability of citizens to speak freely and independent media to report truthfully, endangering democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Euro-Atlantic future, stated the Embassy of the United States of America in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the occasion of today’s adoption of the Law on Amendments to the Criminal Code of the RS.
“Those who introduced and supported this repressive law moved Republika Srpska one step further towards authoritarianism. This undemocratic law only serves the efforts of the ruling coalition to consolidate power and avoid responsibility; it harms the interests of those who live in Republika Srpska,” it was stated on the Embassy’s Twitter account.
The National Assembly of the Republika Srpska yesterday adopted the Law on Amendments to the Criminal Code of the RS, which introduces criminal offenses against honor and reputation – defamation, disclosure of personal and family circumstances and public exposure to humiliation.
