BRUSSELS, MARCH 24 (ONASA) – The European Union expressed its regret regarding the amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Srpska voted in the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, which reintroduce criminal sanctions for defamation.
“Such legal changes would impose unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions on the work of independent media and civil society,” the European Union stated.
They pointed out that the European Council granted Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status in December 2022 and that candidate status comes with great expectations. In its recommendation for granting candidate status, the commission defined the steps that Bosnia and Herzegovina should work on, and one such step is strengthening freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
“Today’s decision is undeniably a step in the wrong direction with a terrifying effect on media freedom in Republika Srpska, while at the same time calling into question the strategic commitment of the ruling parties in Republika Srpska for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession to the European Union,” the EU warned.
They pointed out that if the law is finally adopted, it will have serious consequences for the environment for civil society (key priority 11) and freedom of expression and media (key priority 12) in the Republic of Srpska, as a regrettable and undoubtedly big step backwards in the protection of fundamental rights.
“The European Union calls on the Republika Srpska to withdraw the amendments and ensure full protection of freedom of expression and the media. Fulfilling the key priorities listed in the Commission’s Opinion is a prerequisite for Bosnia and Herzegovina to open accession negotiations,” the EU reminded.
In the end, they said that the European Union expects all authorities to work constructively on solving 14 key priorities, for the benefit of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.