On Tuesday, the Bosnian Serb government announced the withdrawal of a contentious draft law aimed at creating a register of non-profit organizations receiving international funding, which would have designated them as foreign agents.
The proposed legislation faced significant criticism from the European Union, which viewed it as a tool for intimidating non-governmental organizations. Critics argued that it would further suppress the freedoms of government opponents.
Initially included on the agenda of the Bosnian Serb assembly, the draft law was withdrawn from parliamentary procedure, as reported by RTRS public television. Vice Prime Minister Milos Bukejlovic informed lawmakers of the decision but did not provide detailed reasons for the move.
The draft law was part of a series of political initiatives led by pro-Russian Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who has been a long-time advocate for secession from Bosnia.
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Dodik acknowledged that some objections to the law were related to “European norms.” He stated, “Since the Republika Srpska is committed to the European path, we agreed to withdraw it (the bill) and additionally harmonize it with the laws that some European countries have and… bring it in line with European legal practice,” via X, formerly known as Twitter.
Since the end of the 1992-1995 war, Bosnia has been comprised of two semi-autonomous entities: the Serb-run Republika Srpska (RS) and the Muslim-Croat Federation. These entities are connected by weak central institutions, each with its own government and parliament.
Dodik indicated that the bill, originally supported by deputies in September last year, will be reintroduced to the parliamentary procedure at a later date.
Earlier this month, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) urged Bosnian Serb authorities to halt the adoption of the bill. The OSCE stated that the draft law “undermines the freedom of association, which is crucial for the functioning of diverse and inclusive civil society organizations, independent media, and human rights defenders.”
The opposition has voiced concerns that the law would further restrict the freedoms of individuals expressing opinions contrary to those of the authorities.
This draft legislation followed the passage of several controversial laws by Bosnian Serb deputies in July, including the refusal to comply with decisions made by Bosnia’s top international envoy and the constitutional court.