Balkans | The repeated “separatist rhetoric” of Bosnian Serb leader Dodik sparked violent reactions

Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, one of the two entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, provoked reactions in the country with his separatist rhetoric and denial of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, one of the two entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, continues to stir up reactions with his oft-repeated separatist rhetoric.

Stating that he would separate Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina by abolishing the “Law on Immovable Property”, which caused controversy in the country, by the Constitutional Court, Dodik continued his separatist statements by denying the genocide in Srebrenica in 1995 during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

While Dodik has been defending Republika Srpska as a “state” at every event he has been through in recent days, he has also caused people living in Bosnia and Herzegovina to become uncomfortable with his separatist rhetoric.

Claiming that the United States of America and England interfered in the internal affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and acted against the Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the 1992-1995 war, Dodik also ended cooperation with the embassies of the United States of America and England in Sarajevo.

Dodek has been giving hate speech for years

Dodik was elected President of the Republic of Serbia, ending his previous duties as a member of the Presidency Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the general elections held on October 2, 2022 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dodik, who has pursued an “aggressive” policy since his first day as President of the Republic of Serbia, confirmed that a law on the ownership of immovable real estate has been passed in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (NSRS).

After the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina announced that it would annul the law in question, Dodik said that it would separate Republika Srpska from BiH and said, “I am also trying to persuade Croats to withdraw from the institutions of BiH”. expansion.

Local media claimed that “Dodik’s stress and tension, which he could not hide in the past days, is due to the judicial procedures prepared against him.”

Dodik, who denied the genocide in Srebrenica at every opportunity, insulted the relatives of the victims and made statements against the United States, is in the forefront of politicians using hate speech in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnian, Croat and Serb politicians respond to Dodik’s statement of “independence”.

A written statement from the Democratic Action Party (SDA), the largest of the Bosniak parties, headed by Bakir Izetbegović, stated that “Milorad Dodik’s latest threats to the independence of the Republic of Serbia and allegations that he has decisions ready for this action, and the judiciary in the Republika Srpska.” Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Community. This means his last wake-up call.” Data included.

In the statement, it was also noted that Dodik’s denial of genocide and his declaration of independence were “an example of the separatist policy of Republika Srpska officials”, and that such actions caused the disenfranchisement of Bosniaks living in Republika Srpska.

Zeljko Komsic, a Croatian member of the Presidency Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, also stated that Dodik’s remarks were unacceptable and said, “It is dangerous for foreigners to stop these actions.” He said.

Vojn Mijatović, a Serbian politician of the RS Social Democratic Party, said: “Unfortunately, the citizens who support such policies for years will pay for everything. The Serbian people are paying the heavy price of Milorad Dodik’s policy for years.” He rated it.

On the other hand, in a post on the Twitter account of the Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (OHR), High Representative Christian Schmidt emphasized that the glorification of war criminals and the denial of genocide have no place in a civilized society. Only an honest, correct and responsible approach to past events can guarantee a future of mutual understanding and common prosperity for all.” Data included.

The publication also noted that denying the genocide in Srebrenica constituted a crime under Bosnia and Herzegovina’s penal code, and said: “All such cases must be investigated and duly dealt with by the relevant authorities.” It has been said.

The problem of immovable property in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Arguing that the immovable property belongs to the entities according to the Dayton Peace Treaty, which ended the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska claims that it also has property management under the said law.

While the issue of immovable property has been a topic that has been discussed since the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it has been debated whether immovable property in the country belongs to the state or the entities that use it.

While the Immovable Property Law, which was voted in December 2022 and is unconstitutional, in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (NSRS), is expected to enter into force on February 28, High Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt has not announced that he is suspending the controversial law. controversial.

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 2 also struck down the controversial law on possession of immovable property in Republika Srpska.

Previously, the Constitutional Court had ruled that the authority to manage public property belonged to the entity, and the right of ownership belonged to the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What happened in Srebrenica?

During the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995), after the occupation of Srebrenica, where the genocide took place, by Serb forces under the command of Ratko Mladic on July 11, 1995, Bosniak civilians who had taken refuge with the Dutch. The soldiers under the command of the United Nations were handed over to the Serbs by these soldiers.

Allowing women and children to go into the area controlled by Bosniak soldiers, Serb forces killed no less than 8,372 Bosniak men in forest areas, factories and warehouses. The Bosnian dead were buried in mass graves.

After the war, the victims whose bones were found in mass graves in an effort to find the missing, were buried in a ceremony held at the Potocari Memorial Cemetery on 11 July each year after their identification.