Trojka on attacks on returnees: We expect a clear reaction from the political leadership of the RS

(Patria) - Following the increasingly frequent attacks on returnees, Our Party, the SDP BiH and NiP issued a joint statement.

They believe the attacks are encouraged by rising tensions, in which the ruling structures of the RS abundantly participate.

From Our Party, the SDP BiH and People and Justice, they state that the frequent attacks on returnees must be adequately prosecuted.

"The increasingly frequent attacks on returnees in the Bosnian-Herzegovinian entity of the RS are encouraged by the failure to resolve cases of previous attacks and their impunity.

It is particularly concerning that for months there has been no progress in the investigation into the attack on the Memišević couple in Višegrad, and the lack of an adequate reaction from the highest officials in the RS to the case in Zvornik where police officers beat a minor.

We insist that judicial and police authorities focus on their work as soon as possible and restore a sense of security to returnee homes," the Trojka statement reads.

Adequate representation of Bosniak and Croat returnees in the police structures of the RS entity is a necessary step towards restoring trust and a sense of security for thousands of citizens living in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"The staffing of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the RS must be aligned with clear provisions of the constitution and laws.

Attacks on returnees should be treated with special consideration and efficiency, thereby sending a clear message that violence will not be tolerated and that every perpetrator will be punished.

There is also a lack of condemnation of such attacks by the political leadership of the RS, and such silence, the refusal to visit the attacked returnees and offer them support, fosters the feeling that such attacks are viewed with leniency," they add from the Trojka.

They note that the highest officials of the FBiH have always reacted clearly when similar incidents occurred in that entity, which partly contributed to them being a rare occurrence.

From Our Party, the SDP BiH and People and Justice, they state that the attacks are also encouraged by the raising of political tensions, which primarily come from politicians in the RS, and from the highest levels of government.

"The constant dehumanizing rhetoric, insistence on the secession of the entity and questioning of the state of BiH results in creating an atmosphere of fear, hatred and violence.

This results in attacks on returnees, their homes and other property. We will insist that serious efforts be made to bring the perpetrators to justice and impose the strictest punishments, and the first opportunity to highlight the importance of this issue is the coalition meeting at the state level on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and the Ministry of Security of BiH, although they have no operational jurisdiction, can further emphasize this issue.

However, we clearly state that it is the legal duty of the RS MUP to protect all citizens in the territory of this entity, to make maximum efforts to ensure a safe environment and clearly punish all perpetrators. We expect the RS MUP to clearly define its position on these issues," the statement adds.