BH Journalists call for rejection of the Public Order and Peace Act in the Council of Peoples of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska

The Management Board of the BH Journalists Association considers that the Law on Public Order and Peace of Republika Srpska adopted today threatens freedom of thought and expression, as well as the freedom of the media to publish information of importance to the citizens of Republika Srpska and the entire public of Bosnia and Herzegovina through social networks and internet portals, reports the BH news agency Patria.

Despite numerous criticisms and negative reactions from the public, journalists, and international organizations for the protection of freedom of expression, national deputies adopted the Law, which defines the concept of public space too broadly and extends it to the internet. The adopted amendments by the ruling majority do not essentially change the basic text of the proposed law, nor have they eliminated its negative impact on freedom of expression.

The Management Board of BH Journalists calls on the delegates in the Council of Peoples of the National Assembly of RS to invoke the threat to the vital national interest of Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks and members of other constituent peoples, and to reject this Law, as it violates fundamental rights protected by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. We believe that the protection of freedom of expression and enabling the free expression of opinions in real and virtual public spaces represent a "vital national interest" and a democratic value cherished by all peoples and citizens in Republika Srpska.

Should the Council of Peoples of RS nevertheless support the Law, the Management Board of BH Journalists appeals to the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, to use his constitutional powers and not to sign the decree on the promulgation of the Law on Public Order and Peace. In this way, he will protect the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the citizens and peoples of RS and show that he is truly determined to implement European standards of human rights and key principles of democracy in practice.

The Management Board of BH Journalists and the Banja Luka Journalists Club will hold a meeting of their members in the coming days, during which they will agree on further joint steps of the media community in the fight against the repressive Law on Public Order and Peace in RS.