Republica Srpska land grabs raise secession fears
The Republika Srpska (RS), an autonomous region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is reportedly seizing lands from repatriates, indicating possible steps toward secession. This information comes from the newspaper "Oslobodjenje," which highlights that those returning to reclaim their lands are receiving no protection from the state.
6:57 AM EDT, October 23, 2024
According to "Oslobodjenje," repatriates are grappling with severe issues concerning the confiscation of their private property, which RS authorities are claiming as their own. The newspaper points out that large tracts of private land have been appropriated without any intervention from the central institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, leaving the owners devoid of human and property rights protections.
One example is the case of Salim Mustafić, who purchased land in the 1980s to build a house. When he recently visited the office, he was informed that his plot had been seized. A lawyer explained that this area is slated to be fenced, reforested, and designated as the main hunting grounds of the Republika Srpska. Mustafić has declared his intention to fight for his land.
Lonely fight
Mustafić has appealed to the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and the Ministry of Displaced Persons of BiH for legal support for the thousands of others in similar situations, stressing that non-Serbs are being marginalized and need assistance.
Interviewees from "Oslobodjenje" highlight the inaction of the central institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which compels repatriates to engage in legal battles against the authorities of the Republika Srpska on their own.
Aspirations for independence
The newspaper reports that many believe these actions are intended to prepare the Republika Srpska for a bid for independence. It has long been emphasized that these intentions have been evident. Yet, the relationships between the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the international community, which watches silently as human rights violations and property confiscations occur, remain unclear.
Milorad Dodik, President of the Republika Srpska, has frequently questioned the integrity and justification for Bosnia and Herzegovina's existence. In February 2023, during an interview with Russia Today, he acknowledged his aspirations for the Republika Srpska to become an independent country.
Source: PAP/WP
