RS Government adopts Draft Law: NGOs to be scrutinized

(Patria) - RS entity Minister of Justice Miloš Bukejlović stated today in Banja Luka that the RS Government has adopted the Draft Law on a Special Register and Public Scrutiny of Non-Profit Organizations.

He says that this legal solution does not introduce censorship into the work of these organizations, nor does it prohibit their activities.

- Non-governmental organizations have been used as instruments for certain goals in terms of influencing public opinion and adopting certain laws. The Republika Srpska, by adopting this law, is trying to prevent abuses of non-governmental organizations in terms of political action - said Bukejlović.

He emphasized that the law is not in contradiction with the BiH Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.

- Such a law already exists in the Federation of BiH and many other countries such as the USA, Russia, Hungary - stated Bukejlović.

He stated that the adoption of the law will increase the transparency and accountability of NGOs that are financially or otherwise supported by foreign entities.

- Transparency in the work of the non-governmental sector must be the key to strengthening public trust and all other segments in relation to this sphere. There are numerous examples from around the world where non-governmental organizations have been used as instruments for achieving certain political and economic goals - stated Bukejlović.

He warned that such practice can always be dangerous and threaten the sovereignty and internal stability of the country.