A group of US congressmen and congresswoman issued a joint statement on Tuesday, expressing support to democratic processes and preserving the peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, conveying a message that the “international community will not tolerate actions that perpetuate conflict and human suffering.” Congresswoman Ann Wagner, one of the signatories, previously presented the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act, which was adopted in the House of Representatives last year.

On this occasion, Wagner, who is the Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Representative of the largest Bosnian community outside of BiH, emphasised the importance of upholding the stability in the region and “standing strong against destructive politicians who seek to undo years of peace.”

Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with Congressman Tom Kean (R-NJ), Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA), and Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH) released the following statement after they introduced the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act. This legislation passed the House last year.

“We will not allow corrupt politicians in Bosnia, often backed by the Putin regime, to threaten the Dayton Accords and make life that much more dangerous for all those in the region. This bill will ensure we impose sanctions on these destabilizing criminals and deter bad actors, including Russia, from gaining a foothold in the region,” she stressed.

US Congress proposal for sanctions against those undermining Dayton Accords

Congressman Mike Turner, who was the Mayor of Dayton during the historic Dayton Peace Accords in 1995, stressed that achieving peace was not easy and they are “only sustainable if all parties are willing to come to the table.”

“Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act demonstrates the United States’ unwavering dedication to advancing security and preventing violence. By holding accountable those who undermine peace agreements, we send a strong message that the international community will not tolerate actions that perpetuate conflict and human suffering,” he noted.

Congresswoman Susan Wild called for supporting the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in protecting their “hard-won peace in the face of the forces of conflict and sectarianism,” while at the same time making their democracy stronger, more representative, and more inclusive,

“Critically, this bill calls on Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, which require an end to existing ethnic and religious requirements on holding high-ranking political office—an unacceptable barrier for citizens of Jewish and Roma backgrounds, as well as all other citizens who do not fall within the three protected ethnic communities. I am pleased to once again work with Rep. Wagner on this initiative to bring about greater opportunity, inclusion, and stability to the region,” she underlined.

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Congressmen Tom Kean concluded the statement, stressing that the people of BiH deserve a government that values and prioritises unity and democracy.

“Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act will put Bosnia and Herzegovina on track to protecting its sovereignty, stability, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnic character from malign actors looking to violate the spirit of the Dayton Peace Accords. As Chairman of the European Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs, I’ll continue to fight for peace and stability in Europe and across the world,” he added.

The bill that was supported by the House of Representatives last year state that it is the policy of the United States to support a unified, sovereign, and multiethnic BiH; use sanctions against those who undermine the Dayton Accords and Bosnian democratic institutions; encourage the EU to join the U.S. in sanctioning (Republika Srpska entity President Milorad) Dodik; expose Russia’s role in fueling instability in BiH and imperiling multilateral peacekeeping efforts; and work to protect the Office of the High Representative.

Also, it would codify, tailor, and mandate the authority to impose sanctions on foreign persons and adult family members who undermine the Dayton Accords or otherwise threaten the security of BiH.

Sanctions must be imposed for forming or participating in forming parallel breakaway institutions and violating or in any way obstructing the implementation of the Dayton Accords, including by threatening the Office of the High Representative and undermining Bosnia's democratic institutions, the bill states.