Bosniak Politician to Challenge RS Symbol Ban at BiH Constitutional Court

The National Assembly of Republika Srpska (RS) recently made changes to its Criminal Code. This new law bans the display of official symbols of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) within RS territory. The Constitutional Court of RS then decided that this law does not harm the vital national interest of the Bosniak people. This ruling was made on August 19 in Banja Luka.

The court stated that the disputed rules do not concern the BiH flag or the identity of the Bosniak people. However, the Bosniak Club argued that the law unfairly treats Bosniaks. They said the law stops Bosniaks from showing joy and empathy using their historical symbols.

Ramiz Salkić, a representative of the Movement for the State, strongly criticized the law. He said it aims to make Bosniaks second-class citizens in RS. Salkić announced he would challenge this law at the Constitutional Court of BiH. He believes the flag with lilies, a key historical symbol, will not be banned. He added that they do not expect a fair ruling from the RS Constitutional Court, viewing it as an extension of the RS government.

The RS Constitutional Court also examined a different law, the Law on Cemeteries and Funeral Services. In this separate matter, the court found that one part of this law did harm the vital national interest of the Bosniak people. This was because the law mentioned "feelings of the Serbian people." The court stated that this wording violated the principle of equal rights for all constituent peoples in RS. The court emphasized that no single constituent people can hold a dominant position over others. Another section of the cemetery law, concerning a center giving opinions on grave appearances, was found not to violate vital national interests.