Dodik signs laws banning BiH state judicial institutions in Republika Srpska

The controversial laws, deemed unconstitutional by legal experts, were adopted by the NSRS in a special session held on February 27. Dodik signed decrees for the Law on Non-Implementation of Laws and the Ban on the Operation of Unconstitutional Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Republika Srpska, Amendments to the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska, and the Law on the Special Registry and Public Work of Non-Profit Organizations.

According to public emitter RTRS, these laws stem from NSRS conclusions related to what it described as "the destruction of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and measures for its protection."

Speaking to the media after signing the decrees, Dodik stated that the laws reaffirm the constitutional authority of Republika Srpska, which he claims has been undermined for nearly 25 years.

“These four laws, passed by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, restore our entity’s subjectivity and constitutional jurisdiction in response to the continuous violations of our rights,” Dodik said.

He emphasized that the measures are not intended to interfere with institutions operating in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) entity. “This is our right. They are the ones who attempted to take away jurisdictions that were paid for with the lives of 34,000 Serbs,” Dodik said.

He confirmed that the laws would take effect on Friday, March 7, following their publication in the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska. “I call on the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to remain calm and stable. I urge decision-makers in the Federation to stay composed and refrain from sending anyone into Republika Srpska. Do not send people here and expose them to anything,” Dodik added, concluding that the laws would be printed overnight and come into force on Friday.