2023 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Wagnerization of BiH Brčko District
2023 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Wagnerization of BiH Brčko District

Author(s): Not Specified Author
Subject(s): Politics, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Governance
Published by: Mednarodni inštitut za bližnjevzhodne in balkanske študije IFIMES
Keywords: 2023; BiH; Brčko District; politics; criminal law;
Summary/Abstract: Milorad Dodik (SNSD) has launched a major offensive against Serbia and its leadership with the intent to try to force the Serbian leadership to leave aside all the numerous problems and challenges it is facing and completely focus on the defense of his “personality and works.” The Republika Srpska National Assembly (NSRS) adopted the Law on Modifications and Amendments to the Republika Srpska Criminal Code, which reintroduced after a period of 20 years criminalization of defamation and included defamation in the criminal legislation. The Law was poorly and unprofessionally developed. According to the adopted law the persecution is done by the office of the prosecutor you, as the other side is not an individual but the state (office of the prosecutor). Small media outlets, which are at the verge of survival, will disappear. Self-censorship by the media will occur. Provisions of the criminal legislation need to be unequivocal, as otherwise there will be confusing unpredictability in public space. The law has standards. International standards are against criminalization of defamation. BiH has no strong democratic institutions. Deterioration of defamation is a consequence of a broader trend of increase in populism in the region.

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