Referendum in RS is a threat to the security, stability, and prosperity of BiH

The Constitutional Court of Republika Srpska has decided that the vital national interest of the Bosniak people was not violated in connection with the decision to call a referendum on the Day of RS in the smaller BiH entity. In reactions from the embassies of the United States of America and Great Britain, it was stated that the Constitutional Court of BiH has already answered this question, reports the Patria News Agency.

-As the Office of the High Representative has made clear, holding the referendum scheduled for September 25, which asks a question that the Constitutional Court of BiH has already answered, would be contrary to the BiH Constitution. The Constitutional Court is an integral part of Annex 4 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, and the decisions of this court are final and binding and must be respected, the US Embassy stated for TV1.

They add that respecting the principle of legality by everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina is crucial for the democratic process. Without a functional legal framework and the stability it provides, it is impossible to solve the economic and political challenges facing the country.
 
-Holidays and their commemoration are an important part of every culture. Instead of continuing with the unconstitutional referendum, leaders should work on resolving misunderstandings in the interest of all citizens. The referendum will consume valuable resources, and there will be no progress on this issue. Continuing discussions on a comprehensive state holiday law acceptable within the current legal framework costs nothing and, with goodwill, such discussions can yield concrete results, the US Embassy stated.

The US Embassy stated that "it is not in the interest of the citizens of Republika Srpska for their leaders to continue activities around this referendum, as well as others aimed at violating the Dayton Peace Agreement or the constitutional order, and which therefore pose a threat to the security, stability, and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina."

The British Embassy also told TV1 that they are concerned because the referendum asks a question that the Constitutional Court, the highest court in BiH, has already answered in a clear decision.

-As the Peace Implementation Council has emphasized several times, the decisions of the Constitutional Court are final and binding and must be respected. We are frustrated that, once again, time and energy are being wasted on unnecessary legal and political disputes instead of addressing urgent social and economic challenges, such as the lack of jobs, which makes life a daily struggle for many in BiH, the embassy stated.