The President of the Republika Srpska (RS), Milorad Dodik, said that the Law on the special register and publicity of the work of non-profit organizations was withdrawn from the parliamentary procedures as “the Republika Srpska is committed to the European path”.
This law, also known as the “Foreign Agents” Law, was withdrawn from debate in the National Assembly of the Serbian entity of Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina on May 28.
The law was withdrawn at the request of the RS Government and the decision was made public by the deputy prime minister and minister of justice of this entity, Milosh Bukellović, who did not give details about the reason for withdrawing the law.
The law provides special supervision and the possibility to stop the work of non-governmental organizations that are financed from abroad, the ban on political activities and the need for additional registration and sending of financial reports.
The law defines as “agents of foreign influence” non-profit organizations that help foreign subjects and that deal with political actions or activities, influence public opinion and those that “violate the integrity and Constitution of the Republic of Serbia”.
Through a post on X, which was previously known as Twitter, Dodik said that he agreed with the Government of the RS and members of the ruling coalition in the Parliament of this entity to withdraw the law, in order to “harmonize it more with the laws that some European countries have and implement them” and to “harmonize with European legal practices”.
“The proposal was withdrawn for additional coordination and will be returned in time in a new procedure”, said Dodik.
Dodik, who is under American and British sanctions due to unconstitutional actions, announced the drafting of this law in 2022.
The National Assembly of RS approved this draft law in September last year, which was criticized by the public, the sector of non-governmental organizations and international organizations.
According to research conducted by Radio Free Europe, the law is close to legislation that Russia has been applying since 2012.
The US Embassy has previously told Radio Free Europe that this law is “oppressive and undemocratic”, and that, if implemented, it would drastically infringe on the rights and freedoms of people living in Republika Srpska.
The Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina requested the withdrawal of this draft law from the agenda of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, because the law itself, as said by this office, “is intended to silence and intimidate civilians and organizations of society “.
