Guardians of Bosnia: BiH Presidency to Order Institutions to Arrest Dodik and Others, Request Assistance from International Forces!

(Patria) - The association "Guardians of Bosnia" issued a statement today regarding the current situation and the lack of a quality response to the attack on the constitutional order.

We are transmitting the statement in its entirety without intervention:

"Guardians of Bosnia are truly concerned about the continuous erosion of the constitutional order and the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to which the current authorities, from February 27th onwards, have failed to respond adequately.

Instead of concrete actions to bring to justice those suspected of attacking the foundations of statehood - the constitutional order, the actors in power who present themselves as protectors of Bosnia and Herzegovina have not been effective enough, thereby endangering the existence, stability, and integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This irresponsible behavior shows a serious lack of political will and ability to face the challenges that threaten our country. Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have and must not have the luxury of waiting. Our people, who have been suffering the consequences of political indecision and crises for decades, deserve immediate action and clear results. Instead, we are witnessing empty promises about European integration and projections that do not take into account the current situation – threats to institutions, the drafting of laws based on ethnic and secessionist principles, and increasingly deep political and social polarization. This crisis not only distances us from membership in the European Union but also from the possibility of becoming a functional and stable state.

Instead of looking for enemies among those who sincerely care about the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the authorities must stop the policy of exclusion and turn to broad dialogue. It is necessary to finally involve professionals, experts, and structures that can offer concrete solutions for exiting this situation.

Furthermore, the authorities must take a proactive role internationally, instead of waiting for the intervention of the international community at a time when geopolitical circumstances do not allow for passive observation. The expectation that someone else will take pity and offer a plan to save Bosnia and Herzegovina can have devastating consequences.

Because of all this, Guardians of Bosnia do not want to be just critics but also active proposers of solutions, hoping that these proposals will reach those responsible.

We propose:

We demand that the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina publicly issue an order to the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to arrest those responsible for the attack on the constitutional order and to publicly request the international forces in BiH to assist in this task.

Immediate response to the constitutional crisis: The authorities, in depth and breadth, must IMMEDIATELY activate all competent institutions and agencies and bring before the judicial institutions the president of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, the president of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska Nenad Stevandić, and the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Radovan Višković as suspects for attacking the constitutional order. The justification that the suspects are at large because there is a risk in attempting an arrest is, in a way, complicity in a coup d'état, or acceptance of a coup d'état, because every arrest carries a risk, but police and other agencies must be prepared and trained to minimize that risk and carry out their assigned tasks!

We propose the formation of an expert body: The establishment of an independent advisory body composed of domestic and international experts in constitutional law, politics, and security, which would offer concrete proposals for stabilizing the country.

National dialogue: The organization of an inclusive conference involving representatives from all segments of society – politicians, academics, the non-governmental sector – to finally define common goals and a national strategy as a binding document for all pro-Bosnian actors in power.

We demand a proactive foreign policy approach: Intensifying diplomatic efforts and lobbying international partners for support in strengthening institutions and sanctioning those who threaten the stability of BiH.

We demand a more concrete approach to stopping the drafting of laws that strengthen entities as administrative units and weaken the foundations of the state, and we propose that the authorities focus on adopting regulations that strengthen civil society and the equality of all before the law.

We demand that the judiciary of Bosnia and Herzegovina act according to the law and the obligations arising from the Constitution and laws, and that their primary task be the prosecution of those who are destroying the constitutional order and not implementing the decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH!

The association Guardians of Bosnia calls on the authorities for immediate action and responsibility. The time for good wishes has expired – Bosnia and Herzegovina deserves concrete results, not empty promises!