Lawmakers in Bosnia’s Republika Srpska regional parliament ordered Serb representatives to block decisions and legislative changes necessary for EU integration, according to Euractiv.
The regional parliament made the announcement at an emergency session called to discuss reactions to the trial of Milorad Dodik, prosecuted in Bosnia’s state court. Dodik is accused of non-compliance with decisions by the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Christian Schmidt.
Under the Dayton Treaty, which ended ethnic warfare in the 1990s, Bosnia was divided into the Serbian Republic (RS) and a federation. The regions are overseen by a central government under the supervision of an international high representative. Schmidt has held the position since 2021.
However, Serbian lawmakers said Dodik’s trial was political and based on Schmidt’s illegal decisions, as they were not based on the Dayton Treaty. The RS assembly is calling on representatives to boycott voting in joint state bodies until the “politically motivated process” against Dodik is stopped.
The EU delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the embassies of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy, condemned the Serbian parliament’s actions as “a serious threat to the country’s constitutional order.”
At a time when formal opening of EU accession negotiations has never been so close, a return to political blockades would have negative consequences for all citizens (…) a majority of whom support EU accession.
Schmidt expressed concern about Bosnia’s constitutional order. He also pledged to take measures to ensure the implementation of the peace agreement.
All in Bosnia (…) must understand that no individual stands above the law. Everyone, regardless of their name or position, has the right to a fair trial but also the obligation to comply with court decisions.
Dodik sought to separate his Serb-populated region from Bosnia. However, the process was halted after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
