Request to Increase EUFOR Membership to Safeguard Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Constitutional Order
Failure to uphold the constitutional framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina jeopardizes the peace and stability of the nation.
This assertion was made by Denis Bećirović, a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency, on March 6, following discussions with the Head of the European Union Delegation to BiH, Luigi Soreca, and the ambassadors from EU member states.
Bećirović informed Soreca and the ambassadors of alarming developments, highlighting perceived threats to the core principles of the Dayton Peace Agreement and the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, allegedly instigated by the leadership of the RS entity.
During the meeting, Bećirović urged the international community to take immediate and firm action, including boosting the contingent of EUFOR soldiers in BiH, to counter anti-Dayton and anti-constitutional activities that could lead to unpredictable repercussions.
He emphasized the necessity for EUFOR to effectively and resolutely execute its mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and urged the deployment of reserve forces to critical strategic locations due to the worsening security climate.
EUFOR’s primary responsibilities involve safeguarding the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as continually supporting the High Representative of the international community in the region.
Bećirović underlined the importance of communicating a clear message that Bosnian state authorities, NATO, and EUFOR will respond resolutely and as needed to any threats against peace and security, in a bid to protect the integrity of both peace and the state.
He also indicated that today he submitted requests to the Constitutional Court of BiH to assess the legality of various laws and actions by RS authorities that he claims violate the BiH Constitution.
Just two days prior, Bećirović and fellow BiH Presidency member Željko Komšić called for an extraordinary session of the Presidency to address the threats posed by the Republika Srpska authorities to the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At that time, they highlighted the need to evaluate the current political situation in the country, considering the assaults on the constitutional order by the Republika Srpska authorities and the obligation of state institutions to uphold Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitutional order along with peace and stability.
Last week, the Assembly of the Republika Srpska enacted four laws deemed unconstitutional, following an initial ruling from the BiH Court against RS President Milorad Dodik. These include a law prohibiting the operations of the BiH Court, Prosecutor’s Office, the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, and the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) within RS territory.
Additionally, amendments to the Criminal Code were passed, which mandate the prosecution of BiH institutional employees residing in RS for not complying with decisions made by the entity’s authorities.
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