NGOs condemn Dodik’s attacks and the labeling of Tanja Topic

Yesterday, the member of the Presidency of BiH, Milorad Dodik, called the Banja Luka political analyst Tanja Topic an agent of the German BND and a quisling, with plenty of insults directed at her. In addition, he insulted her family, and at the same time endangered her safety by the threats he made.

These insults and threats come from a man who is at the top of the executive power in BiH, and therefore every threat sent from that side is in fact a prescriptive direct drawing of a target on the head of Tanja Topic. Shameful and dangerous statements by a man in such a high position and uncritical transmission of these statements by the party-controlled media are another in a series of proofs of years of imposing one-mindedness and repression in BiH by people who captured institutions. Also, mentioning and insulting Tanja’s family and trying to discredit them with false accusations and statements are, unfortunately, a contribution to the history of insanity imposed by the highest state bodies. Tanja Topic was attacked and declared a “foreign mercenary” and “agent” because she talks about crime, corruption, behind-the-scenes activities, violations of rights, political ignorance and many other social phenomena created by domestic politicians. In countries where there is no true freedom of expression, that is, in autocratic systems, people are afraid to say what they think, because they are bound by constant fear for their lives. Free-minded individuals are put on the shooting list, while the state is the main initiator and executor of attacks on the integrity of individuals. In this case, Milorad Dodik represents the state and with his statements he directly labels and calls for attacking a person he does not like.

We must not allow threats, insults and drawing targets on our foreheads to be our daily routine. If we want to preserve any kind of democracy, rule of law and tolerance in BiH, such statements must be condemned. People who are in charge of state bodies must know how much weight the words they say carry. Likewise, because of such words they must bear the legal consequences! We believe that such behavior of a member of the Presidency of BiH is inadmissible and that such statements indicate the very nature of the regime that chained freedoms in the Republika Srpska. This is just a continuation of the constant repression that has endangered human lives and rights in BiH for several years, along with trampling on the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Constitution of Republika Srpska, laws and other legal acts.

We, civil society organizations working to protect human rights and freedoms, strongly condemn the statements of the member of the Presidency of BiH and call on all competent institutions to react and protect Tanja’s rights and physical integrity, and to ex officio investigate the circumstances and establish the facts of shameful attacks on her. as well as threats made to her, prosecuting Milorad Dodik and preventing any attack on Tanja Topic.

In addition to them, we call on the representatives of the international community and international organizations operating in BiH to react and condemn such behavior, and to stop providing support to politicians who want to fight politically with violence, threats and targeting. Their constant silence and acceptance of bullying has led to this situation.

Organizations signing this statement:

Banjalučki centar za ljudska prava

Center for the Environment

Helsinški parlament građana Banja Luka

eTrafika.net

Association of Independent Creators and Activists “GETO”

Gerila.info

Hello you

Beech shop

Business portal Capital.ba

Sharp zero

Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina