PIC member states: Abandon the referendum, there will be no redrawing of BiH's map

We call on the authorities of Republika Srpska not to hold the referendum. There is no legal basis for holding an entity referendum in Republika Srpska on September 25. This was stated today by the Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board.

The Patria News Agency conveys the PIC statement in its entirety:

The BiH Constitution defines Bosnia and Herzegovina as a democratic state functioning on the rule of law. No institution or authority in BiH can act outside the constitutional order.

Decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH must be respected. The Court's powers are clearly defined in Annex 4 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which gives the Court jurisdiction to resolve disputes between different levels of government.

The Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board note that on September 17, the Constitutional Court of BiH decided to suspend the Referendum Decision adopted by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, pending the Court's decision on its constitutionality. Therefore, there is no legal basis for holding an entity referendum in Republika Srpska on September 25. We once again call on the authorities of Republika Srpska not to hold the referendum.

The Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board reiterate that no referendum can change the final and binding nature of the decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH. The decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH remains fully in force and must be respected. The Political Directors of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board have repeatedly emphasized, including in statements from June 2016 and December 2015, that “the Constitutional Court of BiH is an integral part of Annex 4 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), and is of key importance for its implementation.” The Ambassadors of the PIC Steering Board expressed their full support for the Constitutional Court of BiH and relevant institutions in their efforts to ensure compliance with the Court's decision.

The Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board call for resolving the issue of public holidays through political dialogue and for the prompt adoption of appropriate legal amendments to implement the Court's decision from November 2015.
The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) once again called on all parties to refrain from hasty actions and rhetoric that advocates division. The Steering Board strongly condemns all statements that undermine stability and security or challenge the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Republika Srpska will remain an integral and essential part of the sovereign state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace. The PIC Steering Board reiterates that there will be no redrawing of BiH's map.

The PIC Steering Board appeals to political leaders on all sides to focus on resolving the economic and social challenges facing the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are of key importance for the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its European future. These are precisely the issues of vital importance for the country and its citizens.
* The Russian Federation does not join this statement.