Radovan Kovačević, a delegate of the Serb People’s Club in the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized that the OSCE’s statement claiming that the Republic of Srpska violates the Constitution of BiH and the Constitution of the Republika Srpska by marking Republik Day on January 9 is completely inaccurate.
- Republik Day is a secular holiday established by the Law on Holidays of the Republik and later confirmed through a referendum and the Law on Republika Srpska Day, affirming its celebration on January 9. It marks the day of the Republik’s foundation and is a holiday for all citizens of Republik of Srpska, irrespective of their national and religious affiliations, emphasized Kovacevic.
Kovačević emphasizes that the Constitutional Court of BiH, in its manipulation, attempted to assert that Republik Day is a holiday felt only by one people, adherents of only one faith, merely because it coincides with St. Stephen’s Day.
- It’s complete nonsense because each day is marked by certain religious holidays, and that has no connection to Republik Day, which is observed as a secular holiday, a celebration for all citizens of Republik of Srpska. We’ve heard from those who claim we shouldn’t celebrate on January 9; they suggest celebrating on November 21, the day the Dayton Agreement was signed, as everyone accepted Republika Srpska then. However, they forget that it’s also a significant religious holiday, Arandjelovdan, celebrated by a large number of citizens. It’s clear that behind it all lies an attempt to undermine the historical fact that Republika Srpska was created on January 9, 1992, by the will of its people expressed through elected representatives – Kovačević emphasized.
Despite all the intrigues, Republic of Srpska will dignifiedly observe Republic Day.
- Republika Srpska is self-aware, autochthonous, authentically pursues its policies, and will know how to protect its key identity pillars, such as certainly January 9 – concluded Kovačević.
We remind you that the OSCE mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued an invitation to the Government of Republic of Srpska regarding the observance of Republika Srpska Day.
Source: RTRS
