EU, High Rep in Bosnia against RS entity's police reserve force

The EU Delegation, headed by Ambassador Luigi Soreca, called on the National Assembly of Republika Srpska to abandon the proposed legal amendments, stressing that such a move is unnecessary and counterproductive and that it risks further deepening divisions.

We strongly urge the RS authorities to refrain from any further action regarding this legislative proposal and, instead, to engage in dialogue with counterparts at the state level and within the Federation entity, the OHR said in a statement.

The Republika Srpska government has proposed amendments to the law on internal affairs to establish a police reserve force whose members would have the same powers as regular police officers.

This initiative has provoked strong reactions from Bosniak politicians, who described the move as a violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Meanwhile, Federation Interior Minister Ramo Isak stated that the entity would respond by forming its own police reserve force if Republika Srpska proceeded with its plan.

The crisis in BiH thus continues to deepen, having escalated earlier this spring following a non-final verdict against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.