Republika Srpska moves to criminalise Bosnia‑Herzegovina flag and army symbols

The government of Republika Srpska has drafted amendments to its criminal code that would impose up to three years’ imprisonment for publicly displaying or promoting the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the lilies and the symbols of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RBiH). The proposal, presented to the National Assembly, is being portrayed by officials as a response to “political abuse” of the symbols.

Opposition parties – including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) and other Bosniak representatives – have condemned the draft as a breach of the Dayton Peace Agreement and the BiH Defence Law, which recognise the continuity of the RBiH army within the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They note that courts in the entity have already ruled that the display of the national flag alone is not a criminal act nor hate speech.

SDP and SDA leaders have announced they will challenge the law before the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, calling it a “political pre‑election move” that diverts attention from economic and social issues. RS vice‑president Ćamil Duraković has urged the Assembly to withdraw the amendment, warning that it could inflame ethnic tensions and undermine the rule of law.