Vucic urges Bosnian Serbs to avoid violence in May 14 protests
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 12 May 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Vucic urges Bosnian Serbs to avoid violence in May 14 protests, 12 May 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/576900ef6.html [accessed 18 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 12, 2016
Serbian Prime Minster Aleksandar Vucic urged Bosnian Serbs to avoid violence at protests scheduled for May 14 in Banja Luka.
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has urged Serbian political leaders in neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina to prevent street protests scheduled for May 14 from turning violent.
Both the opposition and the ruling party in Bosnia's autonomous Serbian region, the Republika Srpska, have called on supporters to take to the streets of the capital, Banja Luka, for demonstrations ahead of local elections in October.
The opposition will protest against unemployment and corruption, while the ruling party urged people to express support for government policies.
Vucic said Serbian intelligence had seen indications the protests could turn violent. He said he had spoken to Bosnian Serb leaders, including the republic's president, Milorad Dodik.
"We don't need conflict," Vucic told a news conference on May 11. "Peace and stability are conditions without which Serbia cannot progress."
Dodik has repeatedly tried and failed to persuade opposition leaders to cancel the protests, but says he does not envisage any problems with having two rival protest meetings on the same day.
Vucic's remarks reflect pressure that Belgrade feels from the West to support stability in the Balkans if it wants to make progress in talks on joining the European Union.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
