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Sarajevo, (Fena) – The German ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Thomas Fitschen has called on the authorities of the entity Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina to abandon the announced adoption of the so-called foreign agents law.
The German ambassador Thomas Fitschen stated that the proposed law on the registration of non-governmental organizations, which was again prepared by the Government of the entity Republika Srpska, as the European Union Delegation has already concluded, would represent a serious setback on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path to joining the European Union.
He stated that the restrictions that are planned to be introduced for civil societies in Republika Srpska are contrary to fundamental rights and democratic values like those guaranteed in the European Union.
– An open and free civil society space is essential for the democratic progress and EU perspective of this country. Therefore, I call on the Government of Republika Srpska and the National Assembly of Republika Srpska to stop pursuing this plan – said Fitschen, according to a statement from the German Embassy in BiH.
The law was withdrawn from parliamentary procedure in May last year, after great pressure from the domestic public, but also from abroad. However, it was announced that the law will be back before parliamentarians next week.
According to announcements, within six months of the adoption of the law, a register of non-profit organizations founded in Republika Srpska, financially supported by foreign entities, should be established.
Milorad Dodik, the president of the entity Republika Srpska, announced the adoption of this law at the end of January.
He then emphasized “that the status of foreign agents will be determined for all those who receive money from foreign governments to undermine RS.”
The law provides, among other things, for the surveillance of non-governmental organizations funded from abroad, the prohibition of broadly defined political activities, the need for additional registration, and the submission of reports to the Ministry on the receipt of financial resources from abroad.
Also, the competent ministry can propose a ban on their work to the court in case of violation of the law. (13.02.)