Bosnia’s Republika Srpska Trying to “Actively Subvert” State, Envoy Warns

Bosnian Serbs are actively seeking to undermine the Bosnian state even as progress is made towards European Union accession, according to the latest report of the High Representative.

The High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt. Photo: EPA-EFE/FEHIM DEMIR.

Despite Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress towards European Union accession, Bosnian Serb authorities continue to “actively subvert” the state, peace overseer Christian Schmidt said in his latest update to the UN secretary general, citing in particular “unprecedented pressure” on the judiciary.

The leaked 40-page report is the sixth submitted by Schmidt, a German politician, since his appointment in August 2021 to oversee the country’s adherence to the peace deal that ended its 1992-95 war. The five others made similar complaints about authorities under Bosnian Serb strongman Milorad Dodik in the predominantly Serb-populated Republika Srpska entity.

Their threat to “paralyse” state authorities, he wrote, “is a threat to the functionality of the State and its ability to carry out its responsibilities”.

Dodik repeated the threat most recently last month in response to a German and Rwandan draft United Nations resolution that would declare July 11 an international day of remembrance for the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, a characterisation the Republika Srpska disputes.

In March, the European Union gave the green light to the start of accession negotiations with Bosnia, a major milestone in the country’s recovery from war and integration with the bloc. But even against such a backdrop, the pressure on the state from the Republika Srpska continued.

“Besides promoting the abolishment of the BiH Court and the BiH Prosecutor’s Office, the RS ruling coalition undermines the BiH Constitutional Court as the guardian of the constitutional and legal order of BiH,” wrote Schmidt, whose official title is High Representative.

“If pursued, these actions could lead to a de facto if not a de jure dissolution of the State of BiH, which is what RS President Milorad Dodik continuously advocates. This would be a scenario with grave consequences.”

Historical revisionism

The “Border Exist” protest near Vlasenica on September 15, 2023. Photo: N1.

Schmidt noted that, during the reporting period from mid-October 2023 to mid-April 2024, the ruling coalition in the Republika Srpska continued to organise rallies on the administrative line between Republika Srpska and the mainly Bosniak and Croat Federation entity under the banner, ‘The Border Exists’.

“Besides promoting the idea of secession, these rallies create a divisive environment prone to security incidents,” Schmidt wrote in the report, which BIRN has seen.

He also warned of efforts by Republika Srpska authorities to limit civic action and suppress political dissent via intimidation and punishment.

Dodik and the Republika Srpska government do not recognise Schmidt as High Representative, citing the abstention of Russia and China when his appointment was voted on in the UN Security Council; the report noted their continued “inflammatory rhetoric and actions” aimed at undermining his office.

The report also cited further regression in how the past is addressed as well as a rise in ethno-nationalistic historical revisionism, denial of genocide and war crimes and the glorification of war criminals.

Such trends go hand in hand with broader declines in “democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, leading to increased mistrust and polarisation within society”, Schmidt wrote.

He cited deteriorating inter-community relations in Srebrenica over the previous two years, as well as incidents targeting returnees.

The report should come before the UN Security Council on May 15.