OSCE Mission to BiH: Marking of the unconstitutional 9 January must be subject to swift investigation and prosecution

(Patria) - The OSCE Mission to BiH today called on the RS entity to respect the rule of law and comply with final decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH.

The Mission condemned the glorification of war criminals and all expressions of intolerance, which we have witnessed again this year, and which unfortunately regularly form an integral part of the marking of 9 January. All actions of this kind must be subject to swift investigation and prosecution, the OSCE stated.

"The official sponsorship and support of the RS Government for the marking of the so-called RS Day - 9 January constitutes a violation of the Decision of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina of 26 November 2015, which established that this celebration is unconstitutional because it excludes persons who are not members of the Serb people, and is therefore in direct contradiction with both the Constitution of BiH and the Constitution of the RS.

In a country as ethnically diverse as Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a devastating conflict has left its consequences, respect for court decisions and the institutions that issue them contributes to unity and reconciliation and confirms the principles according to which all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliation, deserve equal rights and respect in public life.

Rejecting such decisions carries the risk of deepening divisions and maintaining ethnic tensions.

The OSCE Mission to BiH remains committed to providing support to the competent authorities in fulfilling their legal obligations to preserve equality, non-discrimination and the rule of law, thereby promoting mutual respect and building a brighter future for all citizens of BiH," the statement added.