The Association of Young Roma ‘AKSIOM’ strongly condemned the “racist statements” of the Serb member of Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency, Milorad Dodik, who used a term that is derogatory towards the Roma minority while arguing that he will not accept the new High Representative in the country.

At a press conference on August 1 this year, the day when Christian Schmidt officially started his term as High Representative in Bosnia, Dodik said that he does not accept the appointment of the German politician.

Dodik used the derogatory term as he was arguing that “political Sarajevo” will accept any High Representative who is willing to work against Bosnia’s Republika Srpska (RS) entity.

“Their feeling is that this alleged High Representative will work against Republika Srpska. He will be supported, even if he was, as the people say, a black gipsy,” Dodik said.

“This is not the first time that Milorad Dodik has used insulting speech directed at the Roma community to express his political dissatisfaction,” the association said, reminding of another recent example when the Bosnian Serb political leader used the term.

“We are fully aware of all the political frustrations of Milorad Dodik that are the result of his wrong policy that harms all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We do not accept such a policy, and much less do we accept such a policy “enriched” by racism,” the association said.

“Therefore, the Association of Young Roma ‘AKSIOM’ first of all calls on the member of the Presidency of BiH, Milorad Dodik, to issue a public apology for insulting the Roma community, and the competent institutions, primarily the Institution of the Ombudsman of BiH, to react to racist outbursts by the Serb member of the Presidency,” it said.