Bosniaks launch vital national interest protection mechanism over referendum announcement in Republika Srpska

The information was confirmed by head of the Bosniak Caucus Alija Tabakovic.

The law defines that a referendum in Republika Srpska can be conducted by a entity parliament commission or an ad hoc commission, while the Decision defines that the referendum will be held on October 25th with the referendum question: "Do you accept the decisions of the unelected foreigner Christian Schmidt and the unconstitutional verdicts of the Court of BiH pronounced against the President of the RS, as well as the decision of the Central Election Commission to revoke the mandate of the RS President Milorad Dodik?"

The law and the decision were adopted at the last special session of the entity parliament a week ago, following the decision of Bosnia's Central Election Commission to revoke Milorad Dodik's mandate as President of the RS, based on the final verdict of the Court of BiH banning Dodik from holding public office for the next six years.

"This is about common sense - no one can be placed above the verdicts. Imagine if we now called a referendum and asked citizens whether someone should be held accountable for a verdict finding them guilty of murder, rape or anything else," said Tabakovic.

When it comes to the Law on Amendments to the Law on Referendum and Citizens' Initiative of the RS, Tabakovic said that the participation of the constituent peoples in the commission is not defined either.

"Our position is that this is an unconstitutional law and decision," he added.