Guardians of Bosnia: Security institutions of BiH and EUFOR to protect Bosniaks and non-Serb population in RS!

(Patria) - The Association Guardians of Bosnia notes with deep concern that the security of Bosniaks and other non-Serb population in the smaller Bosnian-Herzegovinian entity, the Republika Srpska, is continuously threatened.

"Numerous incidents, including hundreds of serious and minor attacks on the non-Serb population, mostly Bosniaks, some of which have resulted in fatalities, testify to the seriousness of the situation.

Unfortunately, most of these attacks remain unprocessed, indicating a clear inability or unwillingness of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of RS to protect Bosniaks and the non-Serb population in general, which justifies their current fear for safety.

Additionally, Bosniaks in RS have very few addresses they can turn to for security protection; the number of Bosniaks in the RS MUP is marginal, and there are almost none in leadership positions.

The latest developments and tensions related to the conclusion of the judicial process against RS President Milorad Dodik only further deepen the old wounds of Bosniaks and other non-Serb populations. Dangerous rhetoric and announced moves by the authorities in this entity, including a ban on the work of state institutions and confederation with Serbia, incite fear and raise tension.

Considering the fact that such inflammatory rhetoric has previously been a trigger for attacks on Bosniaks, the fear of the possibility of new attacks is justified. Continuous attacks on returnees, which regularly occur during every crisis situation in RS, are clear proof of this reality.

The Association Guardians of Bosnia will in the coming period launch a struggle to ensure the constitutionality of Bosniaks guaranteed by the Constitution and laws, i.e., symmetrical solutions both in the MUP and in other entity institutions, so that the Bosniak people in RS have someone to turn to in such situations.

The Association Guardians of Bosnia calls on state institutions responsible for security, primarily SIPA, OSA, the Ministry of Security of BiH and other relevant bodies, as well as EUFOR forces - to be on high alert and take concrete steps to ensure normal living conditions and security for the non-Serb population in the entity of RS.

This population, due to current tensions, already lives in constant fear. We believe that stationing a single EUFOR contingent only in Srebrenica is not enough, because returnees throughout the smaller BiH entity are equally threatened.

We appeal to all competent institutions to take urgent measures to prevent the escalation of violence and ensure the fundamental rights and safety of all citizens," they stated from the Association Guardians of Bosnia.