International peace envoy in Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a statement ahead of the parliamentary discussion on draft law on work of non-profit organisations in Bosnia's Republika Srpska entity, warning that the entity government shows a lack of confidence in their citizens and wants to control them.

“Civil society organisations play a fundamental role in democratic societies,” said the Office of the High Representative (OHR), a day before the session of Republika Srpska entity parliament, which is set to discuss draft law on the Special Register and the Public Work of Non-Profit Organisations.

The OHR stressed that this legislation has the aim to “silence and intimidate civil society organisations, curtail freedom of association and expression, and undermine pluralism and critical voices to government policies.”

“The RS Government shows a lack of confidence in their citizens and wants to control them. It has to stop attacking the right of citizens to associate themselves and should not fear critical voices. Such a law has no space in a democratic society and must be withdrawn,” the OHR said.