EU 'regrets' new defamation law in Republika Srpska

"The European Union regrets that the Republika Srpska National Assembly voted in favor of amendments to the Republika Srpska criminal code reintroducing criminal penalties for defamation," EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano said in a statement today. "These legislative changes would impose unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions on independent media and civil society," he added.

In December 2022, the European Council granted Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status. Candidate status is accompanied by rigorous expectations. In its recommendation for candidate status, the Commission has outlined the steps Bosnia and Herzegovina must take. Among these measures was the strengthening of freedom of expression and media freedom, the statement continues. "Today's decision is a clear step in the wrong direction and has a chilling effect on media freedom in Republika Srpska. It also puts into question the strategic commitment of the ruling parties in Republika Srpska to Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession to the European Union," the eu Said.

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