Bosnia and Herzegovina's Presidency member Denis Becirovic has submitted a request to the Constitutional Court of BiH to review the constitutionality of the Law on the Use of Flags, Coat of Arms, and Anthems, which was passed by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska in November last year.

The amendments to the law allow the display of flags and coats of arms, as well as the performance of anthems of foreign states with which Republika Srpska has signed agreements on special and parallel relations.

Legal basis for the challenge

Becirovic outlined constitutional and legal arguments that, he stated, should serve as the basis for declaring the law unconstitutional.

“The adoption of the Law on Amendments to the Law on the Use of Flags, Coat of Arms, and Anthems is just one of the measures stemming from the anti-Dayton Declaration of the so-called All-Serb Assembly and is part of a continuous, systemic effort to fully align the legal framework of the neighbouring Republic of Serbia with the Bosnian entity of Republika Srpska,” Becirovic's office stated.

He described this initiative as an “unconstitutional and anti-Dayton activity,” calling it a blatant attack on the fundamental provisions of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Dayton Agreement).

Threat to sovereignty and stability

According to Becirovic, the law represents an “extremely dangerous attempt to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” warning that it poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the Western Balkans.

His move comes amid ongoing political tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with concerns that Republika Srpska's leadership is increasingly pushing for greater alignment with Serbia, raising fears of potential secessionist ambitions.

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina is now expected to review Becirovic's request and determine whether the contested law violates the constitutional order of BiH and the provisions of the Dayton Peace Agreement.