Mešković and Hasečić: Republika Srpska is not an entity of only one people

The Association of Camp Inmates in Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the Association “Woman Victim of War”, strongly condemns the decision of the competent authorities of Republika Srpska to mark January 9, 2016 as the day of this entity, despite the valid decision of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to a joint statement from the associations signed by presidents Jasmin Mešković and Bakira Hasečić, reports the Patria agency.

Mešković and Hasečić recall that January 9, 1992 was the prelude to years of horror and hell for members of the non-Serb population. Shortly after this date, the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina followed, the takeover of cities, the liquidation and expulsion of civilians, and the establishment of camps where civilians were systematically killed, tortured, and raped.

- The result of this date today can be summed up in 200,000 camp inmates held in 657 camps and detention facilities, 30,000 killed and 25,000 raped in camps – men, women, and children. The foundations of Republika Srpska were created precisely on these grounds. The result of this date is the genocide committed in numerous cities across Bosnia and Herzegovina – the association's statement reads.

The associations remind that today many families are still searching for their loved ones whose bones are embedded in the foundations of Republika Srpska, and that it is not time for celebration and political manipulations by the leaders of this entity.

- Republika Srpska is not an entity of only one people and should not, because of citizens of other nationalities, insist on marking an event such as this one.

So far, before the Hague Tribunal and the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, members of the army and police, as well as leaders of Republika Srpska, have been sentenced to a total of 2,236 years and five life sentences. Numerous proceedings to prove the committed genocide are still ongoing.

The associations state that they truly regret that decisions of the Constitutional Court are not respected in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They call on domestic and international institutions and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to truly work and act towards creating coexistence, reconciliation, and tolerance in BiH, reports Patria.