From the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), we express our concern about the latest developments in the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The provocative actions and the inflammatory rhetoric from Republika Srpska, which is rooted in nationalism, are leading to instability and calling into question Bosnia and Herzegovina’s territorial integrity, unity, and sovereignty. Further escalating the ongoing political crisis, and tensions among communities throughout the country, must be prevented. 

The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is critical, and the current political crisis is the worst since the war 1992-1995.  The entity Republika Srpska’s threat of secession from Bosnia and Herzegovina risks igniting an ethnic conflict reminiscent of the conflict that formed the basis of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina. To stop the negative political developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina the rest of the world must act and put political pressure on relevant institutions, political parties and individual politicians and public officials in Republika Srpska and the federal level of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian state.  

It follows from the Dayton Peace Accords that Republika Srpska is one of two “entities” that makes up Bosnia and Herzegovina,. The Dayton Peace Accords define the boundaries between the second entity “The Federation of Bosnia and Hercegovina” and Republika Srpska. 

After a long period of peace and stability, Bosnian-Serb president of Bosnia and Hercegovina, Milorad Dodik, and his nationalist party, which rules in Republika Srpska, has decided to intensely work on the destabilization of Bosnia and Herzegovina thus turning against the Dayton Peace Accords and the constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their aim is clear: Secession from Bosnia and Hercegovina and independence for Republika Srpska in a union with the Republic of Serbia. In connection with these demands, nationalist forces have been given considerable space in the form of demonstrations and unrest in general. Republika Srpska is an entity within the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina which must be respected.

IUSY condemns the riots that have taken place in the country and caused great unrest among the people of the country. The terrible values that increase cynicism and hatred must be overcome with solidarity and hope. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country known for its diversity, openness and tolerance. Therefore, nationalist forces must be stopped. The rest of the world must act, and we therefore call on every political actors to support actions demanding that:

• Divisions in the form of a divided interpretation of the Dayton Agreement are stopped with immediate effect.
• All leaders must end the divisions by taking the necessary steps, through a constructive dialogue, to restore the normal functioning of the institutions and achieve the reforms that are important for the country and the better life of its people.
• The international community sanctions political parties, politicians and officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina who are inciting unrest, destability and ethnic conflict.