The UK has delivered a swift response to activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina which threatened to undermine the constitutional order and destabilise peace, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said. Bosnian marketing agency Mania has been designated under the UK’s Bosnia and Herzegovina sanctions regime, just days after it delivered a contract to organise illegal public celebrations to mark the so-called ‘Republika Srpska Day’ on 9th January.   

The organising of celebrations on this date has been repeatedly ruled unconstitutional and discriminatory by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Constitutional Court.

Today’s designation includes an asset freeze and prevents Mania from receiving from business with UK companies. It underlines the UK’s firm commitment to protecting stability in the Western Balkans.

UK Minister for Europe Leo Docherty said:

“Mania’s reputation is now rightly tarnished after it profited from celebrations known to be illegal and which only drive division among the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our action today should serve as a warning to others, whether politicians or businesses, who seek to destabilise the country. The UK will continue to support and protect peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider Western Balkans region.”

The date of ‘Republika Srpska Day’ marks the unilateral declaration of independence made by Bosnian Serb leaders in 1992, which preceded the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The event has been used in previous years by Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and other figures as a vehicle to promote secessionist rhetoric in violation of the country’s constitution, to deny the Srebrenica genocide and glorify war criminals convicted of crimes against humanity, the Office added.

President Dodik was sanctioned by the UK in April 2022, alongside fellow politician Zeljka Cvijanovic, for using their positions of authority to push for de facto secession of Republika Srpska, and for using hate speech to stir ethnic tensions.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 allows the UK to designate individuals who:

• undermine or threaten the sovereignty, territorial integrity, international personality or constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina,

• undermine or threaten its peace, stability or security;
• obstruct the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP, or Dayton Peace Agreement)
• or carry out any other action, policy or activity which undermines the GFAP.

Asset freeze: an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person and which are held in the UK. It will also prevent funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person or entity.