Bosnian Victims Demand Protection for Constitutional Order Amidst Regional Resolutions
Two Bosnian victim associations, the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide and the Movement 'Mothers of Srebrenica and Žepa Enclaves,' have formally asked the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to protect Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) constitutional order. They sent this request to Acting High Representative Louis J. Crishock. The groups are deeply worried about recent resolutions from the Croatian Parliament and declarations from the All-Serb Assembly, which includes Serbia and the Republika Srpska entity within BiH.
The associations state that these documents are not legitimate political agendas. Instead, they are part of ongoing efforts to destabilize BiH's constitutional order. These efforts involve political, institutional, and diplomatic pressure. The associations highlight that the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has previously confirmed external involvement in past conflicts in BiH. The ICTY found that state structures from Croatia and the former Yugoslavia were directly involved in joint criminal enterprises. Their goal was violent ethnic division and territorial appropriation.
The Croatian Parliament's resolution pushes for changes to BiH’s electoral laws. These changes would serve only specific ethnic-national interests. Meanwhile, the All-Serb Assembly's declaration promotes a "unified Serb political space." This document links Republika Srpska with Serbia. It aims to weaken BiH's central government. This is happening alongside secessionist threats from Republika Srpska officials.
The victim groups urge the OHR to immediately analyze these documents' legal and security implications. They expect the OHR to use its full powers to stop any actions that undermine BiH's sovereignty, constitutional order, or state institutions. They also call on the European Union, the Peace Implementation Council, the United Nations, and Dayton Agreement signatory states to act proactively. They stress that protecting BiH's sovereignty and territorial integrity is crucial for regional stability and honors the victims of past conflicts.
