RS Constitutional Court rules no violation of Bosniak vital national interest in referendum law

At its 172nd session, the Council reviewed the Law on Referendum and Citizens’ Initiative, adopted by the RSNA on August 22, along with the decision for its early enforcement. In decision UV-5/25, the Council concluded that these acts did not violate Bosniak constitutional rights. It stated that the Referendum Commission, as defined by the contested law, does not hold the status of a public institution or a state body requiring proportional ethnic representation.

The Council further determined that the principles of representation of constituent peoples in electoral bodies are upheld under the law, ensuring no unequal rights are created among them.

At its 173rd session, the Council also ruled that the RSNA’s decisions to call a RS-wide referendum and bring it into force early did not infringe on Bosniak national interests.

The Court emphasised that these acts apply equally to all citizens regardless of ethnicity and therefore cannot constitute discrimination.