The Republika Srpska National Assembly approved on Wednesday the plan to hold an entity-wide referendum on the legitimacy of the BiH Court and Prosecutor’s Office. After the RSNA vote, both Bosniak and foreign officials issued statements condemning the move.
Emir Suljagic, Bosnia’s Deputy Defence Minister, a former activist for the rights of Bosniak returnees in Republika Srpska, said the vote was an attack on the country’s sovereignty and integrity….
On Wednesday evening, the US embassy to Bosnia said the planned referendum posed a threat “to the security, stability, and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina….
The Office of High Representative, tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accord, said that the entity had taken a decision beyond its competences.
Despite attacks on the plan, RS leaders insist that the referendum is a legal response to the unconstitutional imposition, by the High Representative, of the Court, which exercises jurisdiction over areas not assigned to it by the Dayton constitution. Since its establishment, RS officials argue, the BiH Court and Prosecutor have exhibited a strong anti-Serb bias, and have failed to investigate or punish perpetrators of war crimes against Serbs.
