Shaheen Statement on Sanctions Against Officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina for Anti-Dayton Actions
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. State Department’s decision to impose sanctions against officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina for actions that violate or threaten implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
“I welcome the State Department’s designation of sanctions against officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina for undermining the democratic process of their country, which reaffirms the U.S. commitment to upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement and ensuring accountability for those who threaten the historic accord. The political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is precarious and requires good-faith actions from all elected officials to uphold the Dayton Peace Agreement, implement necessary reforms and maintain stability in the region. Most critically, this demands, free, fair and on-time elections in October, as well as full transparency and a commitment to the rule of law,” said Shaheen. “The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina deserve a government that responds to their needs and prioritizes the peace and prosperity of their nation. I’ll continue to work across the aisle in the Senate to garner support for continued peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina as it works to resolve its domestic political challenges in a way that upholds democratic values.”
In April, Shaheen led a bipartisan delegation to the Western Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she met with elected officials and civil society members on BiH’s peacekeeping efforts and pro-democratic aspirations. Shaheen is also a co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, which she re-established with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) in 2018. At the end of this month, they will lead a bipartisan congressional delegation to the NATO Summit in Spain. In February, she introduced a resolution regarding the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina; it was passed out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a voice vote.
###
