International community demands action over Republika Srpska’s unconstitutional celebration

January 9, 2025 – The international community is urging Bosnia’s law enforcement to take immediate action over Republika Srpska’s celebration of January 9 as the “Day of the Republic,” a date that the Bosnian Constitutional Court has ruled unconstitutional three times.

Despite these rulings, the authorities in Republika Srpska have continued to mark the date, sparking protests from the EU and the United States, who are now calling for swift legal investigations.

The 9th of January commemorates the 1992 declaration of the Serb Republic within Bosnia and Herzegovina, a move that many Bosniaks and Croats view as the spark for the Bosnian War, and the start of ethnic cleansing and genocide. For them, the date is a painful reminder of the violence that followed, and it continues to fuel political tensions today.

The U.S. Embassy has called for Bosnia’s legal bodies to step up and investigate potential breaches of law. “We expect Bosnia’s law enforcement and judicial systems to act decisively on this,” a spokesperson said.

The European Union, in a strong statement, called on Republika Srpska’s leadership to avoid provocative rhetoric that could further destabilise the region. “Respect for Bosnia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is non-negotiable,” the EU said.

Bosnia’s High Representative, Christian Schmidt, has made it clear that defying the Constitutional Court’s rulings could have serious consequences. “Failure to uphold these decisions could result in criminal charges under Bosnia’s Penal Code,” Schmidt warned.