Milorad Dodik, the president of the BiH entity RS, pointed out that Christian Schmidt’s decision to annul the conclusions of the RS National Assembly is not only “legally problematic, but also ethically questionable, because it strikes at the very core of human freedom – the right to opinion and opinion”.
Dodik pointed out that this decision once again shed light on the deep crisis of the political system of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
– This intervention, presented as an act of preserving the constitutional order, in its essence reflects a deep misunderstanding of the nature of the democratic process and the right to express one’s position – stated Dodik in the author’s text for “Glas Srpska”.
He said that “the RS was created in the Dayton process, and it is not a high representative, and especially Schmidt, who is not even that”.
– As a party to the Dayton Agreement, our basic right is to have a position on all issues – pointed out Dodik.
He pointed out that the NSRS conclusions are a form of political stance, the way in which representatives of a nation articulate positions and opinions on the key issues of the Dayton Agreement.
– The fact that Schmidt did not recognize this difference is not only worrying, but also humiliating. Has there ever been a situation in modern Europe where the position of the contracting party is prohibited – asked Dodik.
According to him, democracy rests on freedom of expression, exchange of opinions and reasoned dialogue, and when one actor, be it domestic or international, decides to ban opinion, it violates the basic principles on which modern society is based.
Dodik assessed that the conclusions of the National Assembly, even according to the harshest critics, are political views and assessments – the contracting parties of the Dayton Agreement.
– Šmit’s nonsense sends a dangerous message – in Bosnia and Herzegovina, opinions that are not in line with the desired political narratives can be banned. This is a precedent that not only destabilizes the political scene, but also undermines the very idea of sovereignty and democracy – said Dodik.
He pointed out that this kind of policy “recalls the historical attempts of the Germanic powers to impose their own management models and values on these areas.”
– As history testifies, those attempts did not succeed and they will not succeed even now – said Dodik.
Dodik points out that Šmit is not only undermining sovereignty with these actions, but is seriously jeopardizing the chances of building long-term trust between different peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The President of the RS “clarified that the conclusions of the National Assembly of the RS, no matter how politically unacceptable they may be to some, are the views of the contracting party to the Dayton Agreement and do not introduce sanctions or impose decisions”.
– They are attitudes. Banning opinion is not only politically unsustainable – it is logically absurd. In his intervention, Šmit showed that he does not understand the essence of political communication, but also the basic postulates of human freedom – emphasized Dodik.
He pointed out that it is even more absurd that the EU, which prides itself on freedom of opinion and expression, remains silent in the face of such moves.
If the EU really rests on the rule of law, procedures, democracy and sovereignty, says Dodik, then it must make it clear that the number one address for them is the democratically elected representatives of the people, and not the illegal and illegitimate representatives from abroad who in the midlife crisis get authoritarian tendencies.
– The history of this area requires special attention and understanding, because only with respect for local realities is it possible to build sustainable peace and mutual trust – stated the President of the RS, and added that the prohibition of opinions returns people “to the branch” – to a state where basic human functions are suspended .
Dodik repeated that “the RS is a political and constitutional reality, a contracting party, just like the Federation of BiH /FBiH/, and its people are not and will never be a second-class people, while Šmit’s decision only deepens the feeling of injustice and alienation among the peoples of BiH”. .
– If Šmit believes that the RS has no right to a position, what does that actually say about his exaltation of the people who live here? Does he consider us incapable of rational thinking, of expressing opinions, of adopting political positions? Or, even worse, does he see us as beings deprived of that basic human trait – opinion?”, asked Dodik.
– Šmit’s decision is not just a mistake – says Dodik, it is an insult to anyone who considers himself a free and thinking person.
– If we allow such decisions to go unanswered, the question is not whether we will lose our freedom, but whether we will be considered human at all – said Dodik.
According to him, the foreigners installed themselves as the superior party, desecrating not only the Dayton Agreement but also destroying international law, especially the Vienna Convention on the Law of International Treaties.
– And the Dayton Agreement is exactly that, at least according to the opinion of the Venice Commission. Or who else takes it seriously – said Dodik.
He says that according to that “frivolous”, “disrespectful”, “no” Venice Commission, the Dayton Agreement and all its annexes “must be considered” an international treaty, and their character or interpretation is therefore guided by international law, and especially by the Vienna Convention on the law of international treaties.
– Neither Schmidt, nor America, nor Britain signed the Dayton Agreement and therefore are not contracting parties. They are only usurpers, violators, bullies in everything that is the Dayton Agreement – concluded Dodik.
Source: Avaz
