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EU: Draft laws in RS threaten fundamental rights and the European path of BiH

by AI | 07.Feb 2025 | Europe in brief AI

If BiH wants a European future, it must not deviate from key values – stated the EU Delegation in BiH.

Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Illustration)

Sarajevo (Fena) – The European Union Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina has warned that the adoption of draft legislation in the BiH entity, Republika Srpska (RS), which further restricts the work of civil society and abolishes gender identity as a protected ground in the RS Criminal Code, would pose a serious threat to fundamental rights and democratic values.

The EU emphasizes that the entry into force of these laws would be an obstacle for BiH on its path to the European Union. Therefore, it calls on the RS authorities to withdraw them and stresses that if BiH wants a European future, it must not deviate from key values.

The EU Delegation states that it is crucial to ensure an environment that allows for the effective functioning of civil society, in line with BiH’s international obligations and its European perspective, as well as the protection of anti-discrimination standards.

– Last week, the EU welcomed the adoption of two laws important for BiH’s progress on the European path. The country has real prospects for opening accession negotiations in the coming months, if certain conditions are met. We urge the BiH authorities to focus on reforms that will visibly improve the lives of citizens and to refrain from actions that undermine fundamental rights and democratic values – announced the EU Delegation in BiH. (7.2.)