The United States imposed sanctions on the leadership of Republika Srpska

The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions against the leadership of Republika Srpska BiH.

The sanctions included Serbian member of the BiH Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic, Speaker of the National Assembly Nenad Stevandic, Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic and Justice Minister Milos Bukejlovic.

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As a PolitNavigator correspondent reports, the reason for imposing sanctions was the adoption by the Republika Srpska of a law according to which decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina are invalidated on its territory. Which, in the words of the Americans, “prevents the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement.”

The sanctions apply to all assets and “asset interests” of targeted individuals located in the United States, and also freeze all entities that are directly or indirectly owned, individually or in the aggregate, by 50 percent or more by one or more individuals on the sanctions list.

In addition, any contribution or provision of funds, goods or services by or for the benefit of any sanctioned person is prohibited. Or receiving any contribution or provision of funds, goods or services from any such person.

According to the Americans, the adoption by the RS of a law stating that decisions of the Constitutional Court do not apply on the territory of the republic represents an action that threatens the stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the “hard-won peace based on the Dayton Peace Agreement.”

“This behavior further jeopardizes the future of the country and its successful integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions,” said Brian E. Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

Let us recall that the current President of the Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik came under US sanctions twice – in 2017 and 2022.

“Despite the actions of the High Representative to repeal the law, Dodik signed the law on July 7, 2023. Today's designations build on previous U.S. sanctions and visa restrictions designed to help hold accountable individuals who undermine democratic processes or institutions. These actions are part of the US government's broader efforts to promote peace, stability and functional democratic governance in the Western Balkans region,” the US Treasury said in a statement.

Let us recall that previously the last Serbian judge of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zlatko Knezevic  was suspended from performing their duties. Previously, the Constitutional Court decided to work without the participation of judges from Republika Srpska.

According to the Dayton Peace Agreement, the country's Constitutional Court should be formed according to the following principle: two Bosniak judges, two Croat judges, two Serb judges, plus three European judges appointed by the European Court of Human Rights.

_{Thus, the decision to work without Republika Srpska judges violated the country's constitutional principles.}

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina traditionally works to deprive the Republika Srpska of its sovereignty. In particular, he made decisions on the transfer of its state and military lands, forests and reservoirs to Sarajevo, and prohibited symbols and the celebration of Republic Day.

In response, the Bosnian Serb parliament, the People's Assembly of the RS, declared the decisions of the Constitutional Court invalid on its territory.