RSNA adopts controversial amendments to Criminal Code, prison sentences for displaying ARBiH flag

Representatives of the Bosniak people in the RSNA announced that they would launch an initiative for a review of the constitutionality of the law before the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, claiming that the law is contrary to the Constitution of BiH.

The amendments to the Criminal Code stipulate that publicly promoting or glorifying the Ustasha ideology and the ideology of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH), as well as displaying symbols and insignia promoting that ideology, will be punishable by up to three years in prison. In cases where such acts cause riots, violence or other serious consequences, prison sentences ranging from two to five years are envisaged.

At the same time, the RSNA adopted amendments to the Law on Cemeteries and Funeral Services, banning the placement of symbols and inscriptions promoting Ustasha, Nazi and fascist ideologies at cemeteries and memorial sites.

The National Assembly also adopted a package of eight laws under which salaries for budget-funded employees will increase by five percent as of August 1, including employees in healthcare, education, culture, public services, administrative bodies, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the judiciary.

Under an urgent procedure, amendments to the Law on the Rights of Veterans, War Invalids and Families of Fallen Soldiers were also adopted, introducing new decorations that grant entitlement to financial compensation, as well as the possibility of obtaining veteran status for a new category of veterans residing in the Brcko District of BiH.

The deputies also adopted amendments to laws related to the RS Investment-Development Bank, RS funds, payment operations, microcredit organizations, electronic money, fiscal responsibility, expropriation for infrastructure projects, police and internal affairs, weapons and ammunition, mandatory health insurance, compulsory traffic insurance, as well as the Law on Exercising the Right to Free Legal Aid.

The Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Health Chambers was also adopted and will be submitted for a 60-day public expert discussion.

The 39th special session will continue on July 14, when deputies will consider the remaining agenda items, including decisions on the sale of part of the share capital of the company "Orao", new borrowing by Republika Srpska from the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), as well as several draft laws in the fields of energy and security.