Denis Becirovic, a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has urged judicial authorities to take immediate action against the celebration of January 9 as Republika Srpska Day, which the Constitutional Court of BiH has deemed unconstitutional.

“It is the fundamental obligation of all government bodies to respect the Dayton Peace Agreement and the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This includes full compliance with the final and binding decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH. Non-compliance with these decisions constitutes a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of BiH. Therefore, it is crucial for judicial institutions and law enforcement agencies to act promptly and take necessary measures within their jurisdiction,” Becirovic stated on Thursday.

The Constitutional Court ruled that January 9, celebrated as Republika Srpska Day, does not reflect the shared values of all citizens and communities in BiH. Instead, it symbolizes only the Serb people and was established without the consent of other ethnic groups.

Becirovic reiterated that Republika Srpska exists within the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina solely due to the Dayton Peace Agreement.

“The BiH Constitution clearly stipulates that only the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina has continuity. Entities lack continuity, and no celebration of illegal holidays can alter this fact. The policy of dividing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s peoples and attempting to create a quasi-state on its territory was entirely contrary to domestic law and international legal principles. This policy led to crimes against humanity and other war crimes, culminating in the 1995 genocide against Bosniaks. These are indisputable legal facts established by the rulings of the highest United Nations courts,” Becirovic emphasized.

He also criticized Serbian authorities for interfering in BiH’s internal affairs and undermining the Constitutional Court’s binding decisions.

“Instead of flagrantly meddling in the internal affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia’s officials are obligated to respect the Dayton Peace Agreement. Any other conduct by Serbian authorities violates international law and the core values upon which the European Union is founded,” Becirovic concluded in his statement regarding the unconstitutional celebration of January 9 as Republika Srpska Day.