prijava
BANJA LUKA, July 18 (FENA) - Do not raise your hand for such a shameful law, told the members of the National Assembly of the entity of Republika Srpska, the participants of the gathering at Krajina Square in Banja Luka, after which they went on a peaceful walk towards the National Assembly, which will today consider the Bill on Amendments to the Criminal Code of the RS thus criminalizing defamation.
President of the Club of Journalists Banja Luka Siniša Vukelić said in his address to the gathered citizens that this is a question of the freedom of every individual in the RS.
"If this law is passed in the vote on Thursday what is next? To take away our freedom of movement, to take away our right to medical treatment, or any other constitutionally guaranteed right and freedom. That's why we have to tell MPs clearly and loudly today, don't raise your hand for such a shameful law', stressed Vukelić.
He says that this law will not be passed by the National Assembly, but by every deputy in the majority, first and last name, who raise their hand and press "yes".
"That is why each of you is individually responsible, and not as a collective body," Vukelić told the MPs.
According to him, the facts are deliberately distorted when it is said that "such a law exists in the EU".
"Yes, it exists in some countries, but in those countries, the judiciary is not under political control, in those countries, journalists do not go to prison. When they say we have reduced the fines and removed the category of insult, yes, that's right, but the point is not in the fines. The essence is in criminal prosecution. It can go up to five years in this country," stressed Vukelić.
He says that this is not a fight for defamation, "real journalists fight against defamation".
"Defamation is already sanctioned by the existing law against defamation that exists in civil litigation. We are fighting against the way they want to set up to persecute us, confiscate passports and prevent movement if criminal proceedings are initiated against journalists," said Vukelić.
"For truth without shackles, public interest above all. Freedom of speech is not a crime, opinion is not a crime," emphasized Vukelić at the end of his address.
(FENA) S. R.
