The primary task of the Republika Srpska police over the past year was to preserve the constitutional and legal order of Republika Srpska, which, according to Republika Srpska Minister of Interior Željko Budimir, had been threatened by the actions of what he described as the illegitimate High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt.
“The illegitimate High Representative created chaos in our legal system, while political Sarajevo, through unlawful and unconstitutional actions, targeted the institutions of Republika Srpska—particularly the institution of the president, which represents the pinnacle and final authority of legislative activity in Republika Srpska,” Budimir said in the Dnevnik Plus program.
He added that the objective was to prevent Republika Srpska from functioning in 2025.
“Thanks to the professionalism of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior, that crisis did not escalate from a political to a security issue, and we emerged from it by protecting the institutions of Republika Srpska,” Budimir stated.
He noted that this was not the only challenge faced by the Ministry of Interior, which also continued its work in combating corruption and organized crime.
“The trust that the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska enjoys among partners and other agencies ensured that our credibility was never in question. At the same time, our readiness to defend Republika Srpska and its institutions was never in doubt. This certainly contributed to preventing anyone from crossing a line that could have endangered Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, who was under pressure at the time,” Budimir said.
Commenting on the actions of what he described as the incomplete Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina—which last week issued several rulings concerning Republika Srpska, including declaring the Draft Constitution of Republika Srpska and certain provisions of the Law on Police and Internal Affairs unconstitutional—Budimir said the decisions were entirely misguided, superficial, and malicious.
“The aim was a silent reform of the Ministry of Interior and an attack on its competences. In the coming period, we will respond both legally and institutionally,” he said.
Budimir emphasized that the international cooperation of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior does not fall under foreign affairs, but is instead part of broader international cooperation.
He added that the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina operates without representatives from Republika Srpska and uses every opportunity to undermine the constitutional order established by the Dayton Peace Agreement.
“At this moment, the position of Republika Srpska is stable, and that is very important. The security situation is satisfactory, and our institutions contribute to that stability and security,” Budimir said.
Reflecting on Police Day, Budimir stated that during the Homeland Defense War, the Republika Srpska police were at the forefront of defending Republika Srpska.
“All our events begin by paying tribute and honoring all fallen members of the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska, because those who served in the war, in the final lines of defense and in the special police brigade, did not spare themselves,” Budimir told RTRS.
He added that the Ministry continues to support the families of fallen police officers.
“We have taken care of around 400 children of fallen members. They are now part of the Ministry of Interior, employed in various roles depending on their education. We take care of our people and their families who suffered losses in the Homeland Defense War, and we will continue to do so,” Budimir said.
For that reason, every ceremony begins with a commemoration of the fallen, he added, noting that Republika Srpska emerged from their struggle.
“My definition of Republika Srpska is that it is a vow of these heroes,” Budimir concluded.
Source: RTRS
