SELAK: SRPSKA COMMITTED TO BUILDING A MODERN, EFFICIENT AND JUST LEGAL SYSTEM

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 25 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Minister of Justice Goran Selak stated in St. Petersburg that Republika Srpska consistently insists on respect for the Dayton Peace Agreement, the constitutional order, and the powers of democratically elected institutions.

Speaking at a roundtable of justice ministers held as part of the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, Selak emphasized that Republika Srpska is firmly committed to building a modern, efficient, and just legal system based on the rule of law, legal certainty, and respect for the Constitution and international law. He pointed out that criminal legislation, as one of the most sensitive areas of law, can only be adopted by democratically elected parliaments, and that it is concerning that in 2021 and 2023, amendments to the Criminal Code of BiH were imposed by a foreign official, rather than passed through parliamentary procedure. Selak emphasized that the rule of law requires not only respect for laws, but also for the procedures through which they are adopted, adding that legislative authority must rest exclusively with parliaments that have democratic legitimacy. He stressed that Republika Srpska remains committed to peace, stability, cooperation, and mutual respect, and that it will continue to develop cooperation with the Russian Federation and other partners in the fields of justice, education, and institutional development. Selak also presented the activities of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Justice at the roundtable, focusing on strengthening institutions, highlighting reform processes, digitalisation, and the establishment of a beneficial ownership register as an important mechanism in the fight against corruption, money laundering, and other forms of financial crime. He also spoke about the recently adopted amendments to the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska, which further confirm the role of the court as an independent holder of judicial authority, responsible in each case for determining whether the conditions are met for replacing a prison sentence with a fine or community service, the ministry said. The St. Petersburg International Legal Forum brought together top representatives of judicial institutions, ministers of justice, judges, law professors, and legal experts from numerous countries. The goal was to share experiences and enhance international cooperation in the field of law. The event was attended by 17 justice ministers from around the world.