UK Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina commented on the unconstitutional marking of the Day of Republika Srpska on January 9, saying that the failure to comply with the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2015 and 2019 is potentially a criminal offence.

“The position of the United Kingdom on marking of January 9 as the Day of Republika Srpska is clear and consistent. Choosing this specific date gives priority to one ethnic group over others and violates several provisions of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially those related to the prohibition of discrimination,” the British Embassy said.

The statement added that “anyone who does not comply with the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2015 and 2019 is undermining the rule of law and potentially committing a criminal offence.”

The embassy also touched upon the issue of the targeting of returnees.

“Intimidation of returnees or minority communities is unacceptable wherever it happens and the relevant authorities must act to prevent it. A stable and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina should be built on achievement, cooperation and shared values,” the embassy said.

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina declared marking of the Day of Republika Srpska on January 9 as unconstitutional, because it breaches the constitutions of both BiH and Republika Srpska.

The court ruled that the holiday was discriminatory against non-Serbs in Republika Srpska because January 9 is also a Serbian Orthodox religious holiday – the day of St Stephen, the patron saint of the entity.