Public discussion on the Draft Constitution in Gradiska: The goal of adopting a new constitution is to protect the sovereignty of Srpska

The public discussion on the Draft Constitution of the Republic of Srpska, the fourth one, was held today in the Gradiska City Assembly.

The President of the Working Group that assists the Committee for Constitutional Affairs in drafting a new constitution of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Dr. Vitomir Popovic, and a member of this group, Ljubinko Mitrovic, emphasized during the debate that the Republic of Srpska has the full right to adopt its highest legal and political act and that no one can deny it that right.

Popovic said that, after more than 80 decisions imposed by former High Representatives Wolfgang Petritsch and Paddy Ashdown, by which the Constitution of the Republic of Srpska was forcibly amended, and the Republic of Srpska was left without jurisdiction by passing numerous jurisdictions to the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is necessary to adopt a new constitution.

He emphasized that numerous competencies were passed to the BiH level through decisions imposed by high-ranking representatives without the consent of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, the highest legislative and constitutional institution of the Republic of Srpska.

He pointed out that international interventionism led to an unprecedented and unacceptable legal situation in which the Constitution of the Republic of Srpska was amended - by decisions.

"Although the Venice Commission concluded that the Constitution of the Republic of Srpska is fully in line with the highest standards of international law, we have had constant attacks on the highest legal act. The goal of adopting a new constitution is to protect the sovereignty of the Republic of Srpska, its institutions, property, and its very name, because all these essential elements will be challenged if we do not protect ourselves constitutionally," said Popovic.

Popovic said that the text of the new constitution of the Republic of Srpska fully protects the equality of all three constituent peoples and other peoples, their religious and national affiliation, language and script, and basic human rights and freedoms.

The issue of adopting a new constitution is not a question for representatives of the international community, but rather an exclusively internal issue of the Republic of Srpska and the people living within it. Key international acts give the Republic of Srpska the right to adopt its constitution," he said.

Mitrovic said that the Republic of Srpska has every right to adopt a new constitution and that it is pointless to discuss this right, emphasizing that there are 13 constitutions at various levels in BiH.

He emphasized that the issue of protecting the property of the Republic of Srpska is a key issue.

It is necessary, he emphasized, to protect and strengthen the competences of the Republic of Srpska in the electoral process.

"The great interest of citizens in participating in the public discussions on the proposed text is encouraging; we have truly open and high-quality debates, and the Working Group will submit all proposals, comments, and suggestions to the Committee on Constitutional Affairs for consideration," said Mitrovic.

MP Ranka Peric Romic pointed out that the Republic of Srpska, due to constant political and judicial attacks on its competences and constitutional position, has reached its limit and that constitutional protection of its interests is necessary following the Dayton Peace Agreement.

The public discussion was attended by members of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs Ognjen Vukojevic, Mayor of Gradiska, Zoran Adzic, President of the City Assembly, Renata Obradovic Popovic, councillors, representatives of veterans' organizations, professionals, and numerous citizens.

Public discussions on the Draft Constitution of the Republic of Srpska, according to the plan of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, will also be held in Bijeljina, Zvornik, Doboj and Banja Luka.