UN warns Republika Srpska that criminalizing defamation is a risk to freedom of expression

March 25 () –

The deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary General, Farhan Haq, has regretted the reintroduction of defamation into the Penal Code of the Bosnian Serb Republika Srpska as constituting a risk to freedom of expression.

“Criminalizing defamation constitutes a risk to freedom of expression, not only for the media and journalists, but for all citizens,” Haq warned during a press conference.

The European Union also received negatively that the Bosnian Serb Republika Srpska voted in favor of reintroducing defamation into its Penal Code, as it considers that it applies “unnecessary and disproportionate” restrictions to the media and civil society.

The European Council granted “high expectations” candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina in December 2022 on the precondition of strengthening freedom of expression and media.

If the law is put into practice, it will “seriously” damage the recommended priorities in terms of freedom of expression, which would not allow progress in accession negotiations and the reason why the EU has asked the Republika Srpska to withdraw the new law .