Citizens to RS National Assembly MPs: Do not raise your hand for such a shameful law

(Patria) - Do not raise your hand for such a shameful law - participants of the gathering on Krajina Square in Banja Luka told the MPs in the National Assembly of the RS entity, after which they proceeded on a peaceful march towards the RS National Assembly, which will today consider the Bill on Amendments to the Criminal Code of the RS, which criminalizes defamation.

The President of the Banja Luka Journalists' Club, Siniša Vukelić, told the gathered citizens that this is a matter of freedom for every individual in the RS.

- If this passes the vote on Thursday, what can we expect next? That they take away our freedom of movement, that they take away our right to healthcare, or any other constitutionally guaranteed right and freedom. That is why today we must clearly and loudly tell the MPs 'do not raise your hand for such a shameful law' - Vukelić emphasized.

He says that this law will not be passed by the National Assembly, but by each MP in the majority, by name and surname, who raises their hand and presses 'yes'.

- Therefore, each of you is individually responsible, not as a collective body - Vukelić told the MPs.

According to him, they are deliberately distorting facts when they say 'such a law exists in the EU'.

- Yes, it exists in some countries, but in those countries, the judiciary is not under political control, in those countries, journalists do not go to prison. When they say we have reduced fines and removed insult. Yes, that's true, but the essence is not in the fines. The essence is in criminal prosecution. It can last up to five years in this country - Vukelić stressed.

He says this is not a fight against defamation, 'real journalists fight against defamation'.

- Defamation is already sanctioned by the existing law against defamation, which exists in civil proceedings. Those who want to frame us as fighting for disinformation, lies, and defamation. No, we are fighting against this method they want to establish to criminally prosecute us, confiscate our passports, and prevent movement if criminal proceedings are initiated against you - Vukelić stated.

For truth without chains, public interest above all. Freedom of speech is not a crime, opinion is not a crime - Vukelić concluded.

Since the RS Government determined such a draft law, there have been criticisms and negative reactions from journalists, the domestic public, and international organizations.