ReSTART activists banned from gathering near NSRS: Police tell them not to come

(Patria) - The police of Republika Srpska did not allow a gathering of the ReSTART BiH group of citizens ahead of today's session of the National Assembly of RS in Banja Luka.

"We ask you to inform the public about our deep concern for the human rights and freedoms of citizens in the BiH entity of Republika Srpska due to the terror perpetrated against them by members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska," ReSTART stated. 

Although they say they had submitted a written notification of a peaceful gathering of citizens in Banja Luka for December 10, 2021, to the competent police station, organizer Suad Đozić received a call from a hidden number, threatening him not to come to Banja Luka.

"Even when asked if he could come alone and walk with a banner on public surfaces, 50 meters away from the NSRS, the answer was that he would be detained and indicted. Instead of issuing a decision banning the peaceful gathering in accordance with the law, if they have legal grounds for it, the police anonymously called the organizer and threatened him with the words: 'We hope we don't see you in Banja Luka tomorrow.'", they stated.

This movement says that the lawlessness, arrogance, and fear that the Republika Srpska police sow in service of the ruling structure are frightening and extremely concerning.

"We call on international officials, as well as representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, to investigate this case, call those responsible to account, and ensure a legal framework in which the police will be a service to citizens, not a threat to personal safety and freedom," they added.

ReSTART activists will hold a performance and press conference today at 11:00 AM in front of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the same banners they were supposed to have today in Banja Luka near the NSRS.

DEMANDS OF THE CITIZENS OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

- We demand that the representatives in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska show seriousness and responsibility towards the citizens and make decisions that will ensure peace and security in accordance with international law and the obligations arising from the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Dayton Agreement).

- We demand that all fundamental decisions that have already been made, which have ensured successful reform processes in the defense and security sector, and which have brought Bosnia and Herzegovina closer to the European Union and NATO, be respected.

- We call on the representatives not to jeopardize the security of monetary and fiscal stability with their decisions and not to unlawfully appropriate state property, but rather to submit initiatives for discussion on this issue to the institutions competent for this matter (Parliamentary Assembly of BiH).

- We call on the representatives to respect the decisions of international and domestic courts – the undermining of the judiciary is an undermining of democratic principles and a call for anarchy and lawlessness.

- We call on all representatives to reject all proposals that undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and warn that citizens will not follow the decisions of irresponsible representatives who want to hide their incompetence and lack of vision by causing a constitutional crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina.