The US Embassy to BiH condemned Thursday’s adoption of the anti-defamation amendments to the Republika Srpska (RS) entity Criminal Code, classifying defamation as a crime and prescribing harsh penalties if found guilty.

“The passage today of legislation in the Republika Srpska criminalizing defamation threatens the ability of citizens to speak freely and of the independent media to report the truth, jeopardizing BiH’s democracy and its Euro-Atlantic future. Those who introduced and supported this repressive legislation have moved the Republika Srpska one step further down the path toward authoritarianism. This undemocratic legislation serves only to benefit the ruling coalition’s efforts to consolidate power and avoid accountability; it hurts the interests of those who live in the Republika Srpska.”

the RS National Assembly adopted the said amendments Thursday despite countless calls from media outlets, journalists, NGOs as well as international institutions and disorganizations not to do so. The amendments are said to be a threat to freedom of speech, expression and the freedom of the press not just in the RS but the entire country.