PIC Condemns HDZ Declaration and SDA Appeal: No Redrawing of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Map

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) discussed the recent announcement that the name of one of the entities could be challenged before the Constitutional Court of BiH, as well as statements threatening the secession of one of the entities, and the Declaration of the Croatian National Assembly adopted on January 26, 2019.

- While aware that there are legitimate concerns regarding the discrimination of constituent peoples and citizens across BiH, which need to be addressed appropriately, an initiative to challenge the name of Republika Srpska before the Constitutional Court of BiH would be counterproductive and irresponsible, given that the names of the entities are enshrined in the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such initiatives undermine trust-building among constituent peoples and their political representatives, and trust-building is the foundation for much-needed reconciliation in BiH.

The PIC Steering Board recalled that the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina stipulates that it consists of two entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska. The Steering Board has repeatedly expressed its commitment to the territorial integrity and fundamental structure of BiH as a single, sovereign state consisting of two entities, and that there will be no redrawing of BiH's map.

In this context, the PIC Steering Board strongly condemned recent rhetoric and actions that question the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH or demand territorial reorganization of the country, thereby creating tensions around the fundamental aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement. 

The PIC Steering Board also condemned all attempts by political actors to deny the decisions of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia as unacceptable and contrary to BiH's international obligations, including its European path.

The PIC Steering Board called on all parties to refrain from further polarizing moves and rhetoric, and to constructively engage in the formation of government at all levels to move the country forward.