GOVERNMENT OF SRPSKA: RESTORING RULE OF LAW MEANS ANNULLING ALL IMPOSED DECISIONS

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 28 /SRNA/ - Restoring the rule of law in BiH requires not only closing the OHR but also annulling all "laws" that High Representatives imposed through their decisions instead of having them adopted through a democratic procedure in accordance with the BiH Constitution, the Republika Srpska Government's Report to the UN Security Council says.

The Report stresses that Republika Srpska recognizes only parliament as the legitimate legislator, with the BiH Parliamentary Assembly being the only legislative body competent to pass laws at the BiH level, as is the case in all democratic countries.

"A growing number of prominent experts, including former High Representatives, conclude that the OHR must finally be closed. The so-called five-plus-two agenda for closing the OHR has no legal status or legitimacy, it is impossible to fulfill, and it must therefore be rejected once and for all," the Report to the UN Security Council underlines, ahead of the upcoming semi-annual debate on BiH.

The document, covering the period from May to October, points to the need to restore democracy, sovereignty and the rule of law in BiH after a period in which foreign High Representatives, in flagrant violation of BiH's democratic Constitution and international law, ran the country through personal decisions, without any authority.

According to the Report, Republika Srpska is convinced that leaving political and legislative processes to the elected representatives of all three constituent peoples will help strengthen BiH's institutions and steer the country towards lasting stability and prosperity.

The 36th Report to the UN Security Council reaffirms Republika Srpska's commitment to the Dayton Agreement and the constitutional order of BiH established by it.

The Republika Srpska Government's Public Relations Bureau said the Report emphasizes Srpska's unwavering commitment to preserving peace and stability and to resolving divisions in BiH through dialogue.

"Republika Srpska is convinced that respect by all actors for the constitutional order of BiH established in Dayton is the only path to the country's successful functioning," the document says.

The Report was sent to all Security Council member states on behalf of Republika Srpska, as a signatory to all the annexes of the Dayton Agreement, by Srpska's Prime Minister Savo Minić.

The full text of the 36th Report to the Security Council is available on the Republika Srpska Government's website in Serbian and English.

The UN Security Council will hold its semi-annual debate on BiH on Friday, October 30.