Borenović for NAP: They promised fast, efficient and precise action, we got repression!

(Patria) - The public debate on introducing a state of emergency in the territory of the BiH entity Republika Srpska lasted a long time. In the end, without initiating the procedure for the protection of the vital national interest of the Bosniak people, the state of emergency came into effect in the RS. Milorad Dodik (SNSD) rejected “all criticisms that the measures were unnecessary”. The entity's president received powers, but there is no progress.

“This is necessary, and it will be necessary to apply measures even more rigorously when it comes to fighting the coronavirus”, said BiH Presidency member Milorad Dodik. 

Branislav Borenović (PDP) points out that, besides the health measures in place in almost all countries of the region in a similar form, economic measures to preserve economic potential and jobs are also very important.

„By adopting the decision to introduce a state of emergency, which places the parliamentary role of the legislator in the hands of the RS president, a precondition was created for, as explained, fast, efficient and precise action.

The feeling is that the first decrees on misdemeanors for causing panic and deadlines in court proceedings during the state of emergency were unnecessary because legal solutions already exist in the Criminal Procedure Code“, says Borenović.

Regarding the application of the decree on misdemeanors for causing panic, Borenović notes that we saw a truly repressive attempt to punish MP Draško Stanivuković and councilor Radislav Dončić, who were only doing their job responsibly and pointing out certain social deviations.

„They called for equal treatment and protection of all citizens regardless of their status or political affiliation“, Borenović emphasizes.

He notes in an interview with Patria that there are great expectations from economic measures. 

„To move from big words to concrete and swift measures for entrepreneurs, because we are already halfway through April. You know that we have reacted several times and requested that measures regarding subsidies for salary payments, taxes and contributions for all employees in activities that are prohibited from working during the pandemic be published in the Official Gazette, as well as the announcement of public calls and the payment dynamics themselves.

We see that the Brčko District, Sarajevo Canton and some other levels of government are already in an advanced phase when it comes to paying these funds, and it is understandable that Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH in particular should be as efficient as possible in curbing the negative economic consequences in these crisis times“, added Borenović.