Ademović: BiH Prosecutor's Office and SIPA should now prevent the referendum in RS

The Constitutional Court of BiH has done its job by rejecting the request of the National Assembly of RS for a review of that court's decision on the unconstitutionality of marking the Day of Republika Srpska, constitutional expert Nedim Ademović told Al Jazeera, Patria reports.

- I think there was tremendous political pressure on the Constitutional Court of BiH. The Court remained principled and it responded purely legally to the National Assembly of RS in the sense that they did not offer any new evidence or facts that could lead to a different decision by the Constitutional Court of BiH. Therefore, the decision on the unconstitutionality of January 9th as the day of Republika Srpska remains in force - Ademović points out.

He adds that the Constitutional Court has completely finished its work and that it is now the task of other bodies, primarily the BiH Prosecutor's Office and SIPA, to take all measures within their power to prevent the referendum.

- The President of RS, Milorad Dodik, has clearly confirmed that the referendum will be held, and I think this must not happen and that no one should now consider that this matter is over. This is only half the way. Now it is the task of the state authorities to prove their sovereignty and strength - states Ademović.

He is of the opinion that the consequences of holding the referendum, even if its results were declared unconstitutional, would be bad for BiH's perspective, considering the long-standing statements of RS officials about their intentions with such referendums.

- The historical-political context must also be taken into account, which clearly aims to, sooner or later, secede parts of BiH on ethno-national principles that are not for living together and a common country - Ademović claims.

The National Assembly of Republika Srpska requested a review of the decision from November 26th last year, which challenges the provisions of the Law on Holidays of Republika Srpska, relating to the celebration of the Day of Republika Srpska.

With the Court's decision, January 9th was also declared unconstitutional at that time.

While waiting for the decision of the Constitutional Court, the president of the Republika Srpska entity stated that the referendum would be held, regardless of the Court's stance.

Earlier, politicians from RS emphasized that the decision of the Constitutional Court is important and that the political situation in BiH in the coming period depends on its nature.