High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt assessed today at the United Nations (UN) Security Council that a crisis is underway in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is "the result of serious attacks by certain politicians on the Dayton Peace Agreement and the legal order in BiH."
"And this has nothing to do with the Dayton Agreement itself, but rather a misinterpretation. The Dayton Agreement should be further developed, not questioned," Schmidt stressed.
He stressed that everyone in BiH must understand that "no individual is above the law and that everyone must respect the rule of law."
"BiH is facing difficult times. Thirty years ago, no one would have expected that the international community would be so needed," assessed the High Representative in BiH.
He stated that the President of Republika Srpska (RS) Milorad Dodik, after the verdict handed down to him by the Court of BiH for failure to implement the decisions of the High Representative, intensified his attacks on the constitutional order.
"He even pointed to the possibility of secession," said Schmidt, recalling that the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina annulled all laws adopted by the RS National Assembly, which prohibited the work of some BiH state institutions on the territory of that entity.
According to him, the RS authorities, with their actions, are threatening the territorial integrity of the state.
Schmidt added that the institutions created by Dayton, such as the Constitutional Court of BiH, must prevent the actions of the RS authorities, so as not to lead to the collapse of the state.
He also said that the coalition at the state level is seriously threatened and that there has been a setback on the country's European path.
Despite the political crisis, Schmidt added, the economic situation is stable, but the demographic situation in the country is not improving.
Cvijanović requested a vote on the confirmation of Schmidt as High Representative.
The Chairperson of the Presidency of BiH, Željka Cvijanović, requested today that the UN Security Council schedule a formal vote on the confirmation of Schmidt as High Representative in BiH.
"If he cannot get support, let's find another candidate, who will be appointed according to Annex 10 of the Dayton Agreement (civilian implementation of the peace agreement)," Cvijanović said in her address to the session.
Stating that she was addressing the meeting as the Serbian member of the BiH Presidency, and not as the chairperson of the collective head of state, she also requested "an independent legal assessment, under the auspices of the Security Council, on the compliance of the 'Bonn Powers' with Annex 10 and the UN Charter."
She also asked the members of the UN Security Council to "encourage all relevant actors in BiH to engage in dialogue with the aim of preventing further crises and re-establishing functional governance."
"We are ready to participate in this process constructively, transparently and in good faith," said Cvijanović.
She accused Schmidt of the current crisis in BiH, who, she said, "unauthorizedly passes laws, suspends constitutions, prosecutes elected officials and political parties, or rules by decree."
She pointed out that Schmidt amended the Criminal Code of BiH in order to remove the democratically elected President of the RS, Milorad Dodik, from political life, because he "fulfilled his constitutional obligation and promulgated the laws adopted by the RS National Assembly."
She also recalled Schmidt's recent decision to ban funding from the budget at all levels of government for the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), whose leader is Dodik, and United Srpska (US), led by Nenad Stevandić, who is also the speaker of the entity parliament.
"None of the above is foreseen by the Dayton Agreement, it is not appropriate for democracy, and it is certainly not the rule of law," Cvijanović assessed.
According to her, this is a "dictatorship - rule by decree, devoid of any review before judicial institutions, without the right to legal remedy."
Cvijanović added that the RS's "protest" over such actions is assessed as "separatism", rejecting such accusations and stating that the RS "is not undermining the Dayton Agreement, but rather defending it".
"For this reason, the RS National Assembly has adopted laws to protect its rights established by the Dayton Framework. These measures are not a provocation, but a legitimate response to persistent violations of international law," she stressed.
She expressed the RS's full commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH, as defined by the Dayton Agreement, adding that the BiH entity "rejects unilateral decisions that revise the peace agreement, criminalize political debate, persecute political dissenters through instrumentalized justice, discriminate against political parties, and circumvent the will of voters."
"A legal reset in BiH is the logical next step if we want to prevent escalation and future crises," she said.
Finally, she accused the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs of "selectively restricting her diplomatic correspondence, while allowing her Bosniak counterpart (Denis Bećirović) unhindered access to diplomatic channels."
"This bias is present even in the Permanent Mission of BiH to the UN. Such actions best illustrate the reality of the state they are asking us to accept - a system in which power is centralized, constitutional rights are denied, and where even basic communication is used as a political instrument," concluded Željka Cvijanović.
Croatian representative: Schmidt should have had a more balanced approach, especially towards Croats
Croatia's representative to the UN, Hrvoje Ćurić Hrvatinić, stated that the Schmidt report should have had a more balanced approach, especially when it comes to the Croatian community in BiH, which, as he stated, is the most vulnerable.
"Croatia shares the concern about the current political crisis in that country," he said, calling on all political actors to respect the constitutional order and sovereignty of BiH, and to adhere to the principle of non-discrimination towards all constituent peoples and others.
Ćurić Hrvatinić emphasized that the Dayton Agreement remains the cornerstone of the political stability of BiH, but that the functionality of that country depends on democratic mechanisms.
"Therefore, electoral reform must be treated as the highest priority. Only a reform that eliminates systemic discrimination can lead BiH to lasting stability," he assessed.
He also stated that Croatia is "against the rhetoric of division, in order to ensure the full functioning of institutions in BiH", emphasizing that "a strong diplomatic engagement is needed to de-escalate and overcome the crisis".
"It is the responsibility of local actors and institutions to gradually take on a role in ensuring the functionality of BiH. This is a prerequisite for membership in the European Union," said Ćurić Hrvatinić.
Finally, he expressed support for BiH's European path, saying that it is the best framework for the country's peace and prosperity.
Russian Ambassador: The situation in BiH is a serious threat to international peace and security
Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia stated that BiH is in the greatest crisis since the end of the war in that country and that the situation in BiH represents a serious threat to international peace and security.
He emphasized at the session that "the causes of the crisis are multi-layered and that numerous actors stand behind them, both within the country itself and outside its borders."
Nebenzia assessed that there are attempts to transform BiH from a decentralized state, as established by the Dayton Agreement, into a unitary state, accusing the High Representative in BiH, Christian Schmidt, of interfering in the internal affairs of that country, with the support of Western countries.
"His decisions have nothing to do with Dayton. He is trying to ban political activity by certain parties in Republika Srpska, including those whose leaders enjoy the greatest support from citizens, such as Milorad Dodik and the Speaker of the RS National Assembly (Nenad Stevandić)," the Russian ambassador assessed.
According to him, this is an attempt to remove from the political scene the most popular figures from RS who were "democratically elected in legitimate elections."
He also spoke about the recent attempt to detain the President of the Republika Srpska in East Sarajevo, stating that inspectors from the Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) participated in the action, who, as he said, "are suspected of war crimes against Serbs, and one of them allegedly has ties to foreign intelligence agencies."
He assessed that such actions further raise tensions in BiH and the region and that the Security Council "must clearly state that this kind of behavior is unacceptable."
"The West is complicit in introducing lawlessness, which is the essence of this crisis," Nebenzia said.
According to him, there is "deep misunderstanding among the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina" in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and international pressure "exclusively on Banja Luka is neither useful nor acceptable."
"The focus must be on the causes of the crisis, not its consequences," the Russian diplomat said.
Nebenzia proposed that the Security Council make its own assessment of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, "based on impartial conclusions, not on the interests of individual parties."
He also proposed regular reporting on the situation in BiH, and assessed as worrying the suggestions of individual member states about the possible deployment of NATO forces in the field.
"Some hot-headed people are proposing the use of Operation ALTHEA (EUFOR) to assist domestic agencies, which would have unpredictable consequences," Nebenzia said, suggesting proposals for EUFOR to assist BiH police agencies in arresting Dodik.
The Russian ambassador assessed that there was no need to increase the number of EUFOR members and that BiH should be freed from the presence of the OHR, which had become "an instrument of political repression".
The Chinese ambassador assessed that tensions in BiH increased after the Court of BiH pronounced its verdict on Milorad Dodik for failing to implement the High Representative's decisions, which, he stated, does not benefit any party in BiH.
"One of the main causes of the current situation is the use of the Bonn powers by Christian Schmidt. This has led to an increase in tensions, instead of a decrease," said the Chinese ambassador.
He recalled that the UN Security Council did not confirm Schmidt's appointment as High Representative, emphasizing that the "Bonn powers" should end.
He called on all parties to engage in intensive dialogue, adding that the international community must be vigilant and that conditions must be created to resolve the situation in the country.
"China's position on the issue of BiH is consistent and clear, we respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, and issues within BiH should be resolved by the people of that country," said the Chinese ambassador and praised the role of Serbia and Croatia in relation to the developments in BiH.
British ambassador supports Schmidt, Dodik "biggest threat" to BiH
British Ambassador to the United Nations Karen Pearce expressed support for BiH, its institutions and Schmidt, describing Dodik as the greatest threat to BiH.
Pearce assessed that EUFOR's mission is to support BiH institutions and maintain security in the country, emphasizing that the greatest threat to BiH is Dodik, "his secessionist moves and the adoption of unconstitutional laws that are a direct threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH."
According to her, Schmidt would not have had to use the "Bonn powers" if Dodik had not constantly questioned the Dayton Agreement.
"The High Representative is there to respond in such cases. Currently, the biggest challenge comes from the RS, and the High Representative's role is to support the Dayton Agreement and assist state institutions in carrying out their work," said the British ambassador.
She stated that the Dayton Agreement stopped the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, although, as she assessed, it was "unusual that it included some civilian interventions."
"This is not colonialism, we are helping BiH on its path," said Pearce, adding that she hopes that "one day" BiH will become a full member of the European Union (EU) and "be able to leave the Security Council agenda."
She supported the powers used by the High Representative in BiH, Christian Schmidt, emphasizing that according to the Dayton Agreement, the High Representative is elected by the Peace Implementation Council in BiH (PIK).
Pearce also said that the UK is cooperating with the EU and the US in chairing the Berlin Process, which emphasizes regional cooperation with the Western Balkan countries.
US Representative: US firmly opposes secession in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States (US) to the UN John Kelly stated that the US "firmly opposes secession and destabilizing rhetoric" and supports the presence of EUFOR in BiH, which contributes to security in the country.
The US, Kelly said, "recognizes the importance of the High Representative in implementing the civilian aspect of Dayton."
He stressed that his country "clearly and unequivocally supports the Dayton Peace Agreement, as well as the stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH."
Kelly stated that Washington "is following recent developments in that country with grave concern," calling on leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to "de-escalate actions and engage in constructive dialogue."
Speaking about the future of BiH, the American diplomat emphasized that the United States remains a strong partner in helping the country ensure a prosperous and stable future for all its citizens.
"Every member of this Council should support BiH on this path," concluded the US representative to the UN.
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