US Embassy: Disregarding Court Decisions Puts RS in Isolation and Uncertainty

The US Embassy issued a press release following the decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH on the referendum in RS, reports Patria News Agency.

- We call on all parties to respect today's decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH. The Court's jurisdiction is clearly defined in Annex 4 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, empowering the Court to resolve disputes between different levels of government.

We appeal to the leadership of Republika Srpska to refrain from holding the referendum, as this would be a direct violation of the Court's decision. Disregarding the Court's decision would mean undermining the rule of law, putting RS in isolation and uncertainty, and directly challenging the state judiciary. Such policies are not in the interest of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and therefore not in the interest of the citizens of Republika Srpska, as they all face numerous social and economic problems.

If, despite the Constitutional Court's decision, activities related to the referendum continue, it will pose a threat to the rule of law, and thus a threat to the stability, security, and prosperity of the country.

The Dayton Peace Agreement is an international peace agreement whose challenge cannot go without consequences. The United States and the international community have invested an extraordinary amount in the peace, stability, and prosperity of BiH. We will not accept attempts to obstruct the Dayton Peace Agreement or weaken BiH institutions.

The United States of America notes that the ambassadors of the member states of the Peace Implementation Council, at the Steering Board meeting held on August 30, 2016, reaffirmed their support for the Dayton Peace Agreement and their unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity and basic structure of BiH as a single, sovereign state consisting of two entities that have no right to secession. They clearly stated that they will not tolerate any violation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace, including, but not limited to, secession attempts. We firmly stand behind these statements.