Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Constitutional Court suspended a controversial law allowing Republika Srpska to display foreign symbols like the Serbian flag in its institutions, citing concerns over sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Azem Kurtic, February 12, 2025
A Serbian flag displayed over the Palace of the President of Republika Srpska in Banja Luka. Photo: N1.
The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday has issued a temporary measure suspending legislation that allowed the Serb-dominated entity to fly foreign flags and symbols in its institutions.
The legislation – the Law on Amendments to the Law on the Use of the Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem of Republika Srpska – allowed foreign country symbols alongside Republika Srpska symbols on public institutions, seals and official documents.
The Constitutional Court decision said this could be “interpreted as a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“In such a situation, the display of foreign state symbols alongside the symbols of the entity, with or without the symbols of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, could create the impression of a lack of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the court added.
While the court did not explicitly mention which foreign state symbols were involved, statements from officials strongly indicate that they refer to the symbols of Serbia.
The court warned that implementing the amended law could escalate tensions within Bosnia and Herzegovina, strain entity-state relations, and affect international ties and imposed a temporary measure suspended the legislation until a final ruling is made.
The court acted on the request of the Bosniak member of Bosnia’s tripartite presidency, Denis Becirovic, who argued that the law is unconstitutional, anti-Dayton, and undermines the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It remains unclear whether Republika Srpska will adhere to the Constitutional Court decision, considering that in 2023, it adopted a law that bans the implementation of Constitutional Court decisions in the entity.
The amendments were initiated following an event held by Republika Srpska and Serbia called the All-Serb Assembly in June last year, when both agreed to jointly celebrate their statehood day on February 15. For 33 years, Republika Srpska had commemorated its statehood day on January 9.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will make a two-day visit to Republika Srpska on February 13-14 to attend a ceremonial event marking statehood day and meet Dodik.
Copyright BIRN 2007