BAN ON GLORIFICATION OF USTASHA IDEOLOGY AND PROMOTION OF SYMBOLS OF SO-CALLED ARMY OF BiH

BANJA LUKA, JULY 2 /SRNA/ - The Government of Republika Srpska has adopted a draft law amending the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska, introducing two new criminal offences: public promotion and glorification of Ustashism and the Ustasha ideology of the Independent State of Croatia /NDH/, as well as the public display and promotion of flags and symbols of the so-called Army of BiH.

The proposed amendments provide for prison sentences ranging from two to five years.

The adoption of these amendments follows the adoption of the Resolution on condemning and banning the promotion and glorification of the ideology and symbols of the NDH and Ustasha, Nazi and fascist ideology and symbols, as well as parliamentary conclusions unanimously adopted at the 35th special session, the Government Bureau for Public Relations said.

"With the aim of protecting society and suppressing the spread of ideology that promotes hatred and intolerance in public space, this legal solution criminalizes the promotion and glorification of the ideology and symbols of the NDH and Ustasha, Nazi and fascist ideology and symbols and provides for appropriate sanctions and penalties," the Government stated.

It is stipulated that anyone who, through the press, radio, television, computer systems, social networks or in any other way, in a public place or public gathering, promotes, glorifies, spreads, supports or encourages positive evaluation or acceptance of Ustashism or the Ustasha ideology of the NDH shall be punished with up to three years in prison.

The same penalty applies to anyone who publicly displays, presents, wears, produces, reproduces or otherwise distributes symbols, insignia, flags, salutes, slogans or other content promoting or glorifying Ustashism or the Ustasha ideology of the NDH.

If such acts result in unrest, violence, public disturbance or other serious consequences for interethnic coexistence in Republika Srpska, the perpetrator shall be punished with two to five years in prison, as shall organizers or those who finance or otherwise assist the commission of the offence.

Regarding the criminal offence of public display and promotion of flags and symbols of the so-called Army of BiH, it is stipulated that anyone who publicly displays, presents, wears, produces, reproduces or otherwise distributes flags, symbols, insignia, salutes or slogans promoting or glorifying this army shall be punished with up to three years in prison.

If such acts result in unrest, violence, public disturbance or other serious consequences for interethnic coexistence in Republika Srpska, the perpetrator shall be punished with two to five years in prison, the statement said.

The Government of Republika Srpska also adopted, under an urgent procedure, a draft law amending the Law on Cemeteries and Funeral Services.

Following the adoption of the Resolution condemning and banning the promotion and glorification of the ideology and symbols of the NDH and Ustasha, Nazi and fascist ideology and symbols, the National Assembly tasked the Republika Srpska Government to prepare and submit amendments to the law within 60 days.

This act would legally regulate the removal of monuments and symbols that promote and glorify the ideology of the NDH and Ustasha Nazi and fascist ideology, and which offend the religious, moral and national feelings of the Serb people.