Authorities Introduce Brutal Dictatorship in Republika Srpska – Arson of Nebojša Vukanović’s Car a Result of Lynch-Mob Atmosphere

Banja Luka, March 14, 2025 – By adopting the Law on the Protection of the Constitutional Order of Republika Srpska, which establishes parallel judicial institutions and a para-intelligence “Service for the Protection of the Constitutional Order,” the ruling regime is ushering Republika Srpska into a phase of open dictatorship. This will have devastating consequences for citizens’ human rights and freedoms, which have already come under brutal attack in recent days. The persecution of dissent is now legalized, while the creation of such bodies gives the regime the tools to repress opponents by the most brutal means.

Transparency International in BiH warns that such laws and actions are characteristic of authoritarian regimes and, rather than protecting the constitutional order, they in fact represent its grave undermining. These developments lay the legal groundwork for state terror against its own citizens – a culmination of earlier decisions. Such processes are typical in dictatorships where legitimacy is lost, and the authorities resort to legal and violent methods to suppress dissent.

We recall that the government has already adopted a series of laws restricting media freedom, freedom of speech, association, and public assembly. This has been followed by legislation that not only disrupts the constitutional framework and attacks institutions, but also aims to assert full control over the judiciary and law enforcement agencies – with the sole purpose of shielding Milorad Dodik from prosecution.

Finally, the adoption of such laws is taking place in a lynch-mob atmosphere orchestrated by the ruling authorities, with open calls for violence from the parliamentary floor and attacks on journalists and the opposition. This has culminated in the arson of opposition MP Nebojša Vukanović’s car outside his family home in Trebinje – an act that TI BiH strongly condemns, calling on institutions to respond urgently.

Transparency International in BiH therefore urges an immediate constitutional review of these legislative provisions and calls on law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of all citizens. We also expect institutions themselves to resist pressure and attacks in order to uphold the fundamental rights of the public.