Schmidt: Celebrating Jan. 9 as Republika Srpska Day Can Have Consequences

Christian Schmidt (BetaPhoto/European Council/Aron Urb)

High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt said that celebrating Jan. 9 as the Day of Republika Srpska could have consequences, and that attendance of such celebrations was in violation of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“High Representative Christian Schmidt underlines that the actions and activities of the authorities of Republika Srpska to mark and celebrate the Republika Srpska Day on Jan. 9 can have consequences,” the Office of the High Representative said in a release.

Schmidt also said that “participation in and attendance of such celebrations by public officials would be in clear violation of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as open contempt for the Constitutional Court’s authority and decisions, which are final and binding.” Schmidt underlined that he would continue to work to protect the Dayton Peace Agreement.

“It is a duty for everyone, particularly representatives of the executive, legislative and judicial bodies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to act in accordance with the constitutional and legal systems of the state, refraining from any activity that might undermine trust building efforts, and are incompatible with the European values of inclusion, tolerance, justice, solidarity and non-discrimination,” the high representative said in the release.