Dacic: Dodik and Stevandic are Serbian citizens, we firmly and resolutely protect rights of our citizens
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dacic said today that Milorad Dodik and Nenad Stevandic are citizens of the Republic of Serbia, adding that international warrants that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is referring to have not yet passed the checks of the General Secretariat of Interpol regarding the fulfillment of conditions for their publication, and therefore do not constitute a basis for action.
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Milorad Dodik is the president of the Serb Republic (RS, Serb entity in BiH), while Nenad Stevandic is the president of the RS National Assembly.
"The Republic of Serbia firmly and resolutely protects the rights and interests of its citizens, both domestically and internationally. Our country is committed to preserving the sovereignty and human rights of its citizens, recognizing that the protection of every individual is the basis of our international obligations. Milorad Dodik and Nenad Stevandic are citizens of the Republic of Serbia, and the international warrants referred to by BiH have not yet passed the checks of the General Secretariat of Interpol regarding the fulfillment of conditions for their publication, and they themselves do not constitute a basis for action," said Dacic.
He added that Interpol Belgrade has sent a note of protest to the General Secretariat of Interpol because the requests violate Article 3 of the Interpol Statute.
"Given the fact that they are Serbian citizens, Interpol Belgrade has sent a note of protest to the General Secretariat of Interpol because the requests for issuing international warrants (against Dodik and Stefanovic) violate Article 3 of the Interpol Statute, which reads: 'It is strictly forbidden for the Organization (Interpol) to undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character'. The General Secretariat of Interpol confirmed it received our protest, and stated that they will take it into consideration, as well as inform us about the results of that consideration in a timely manner," Dacic said, and added that Serbia is committed to respecting international norms.
"I stress that Serbia is committed to respecting international norms at all times, but at the same time it will not allow any attempt to threaten the rights of our citizens by other states or international bodies. Serbia is determined to continue fighting for its rights and the rights of its citizens on the global stage, while respecting international legal frameworks, in accordance with its own values and principles," said Minister Dacic.
(Telegraf.rs)