Toward maintaining stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, U.S. Reps. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Mike Turner (R-OH) on June 25 introduced legislation that would ensure the United States stands firm behind the Dayton Peace Agreement, also known as the Dayton Peace Accords, which were signed in 1995 to officially end the Bosnian War.
Rep. Wagner sponsored the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act, H.R. 4149, alongside three original cosponsors, including Rep. Turner and U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA). This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, the July 1995 genocidal killing of more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys in and around the town of Srebrenica during the Bosnian War.
“The Dayton Peace Accords ended one of the bloodiest conflicts in Europe’s history and laid the foundation for lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Rep. Turner said. “As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, we are reminded of our constant commitment to the fragile security situation established and our duty to make it a lasting and stable peace.”
If enacted, H.R. 4149 would provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to foreign persons undermining the Dayton Peace Agreement or threatening the security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the Congressional Record bill summary.
Rep. Wagner pointed out that the largest Bosnian community outside of Bosnia is centered in the St. Louis area of her home state, where she said she has coordinated with them to advance a unified and peaceful Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We condemn Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik’s flagrant disregard for the law, and it is critical we put a stop to his destabilizing actions in the region that have gotten worse by the week,” said Rep. Wagner. “My Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act will sanction criminals like Dodik and others like him who seek to tear apart the institutions that safeguard Bosnia’s fragile peace.
“The new Axis of Evil that is China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea is cheering on bad actors like Dodik, and it is critical to global stability we stop this evil in its tracks to send a message that the world will not stand for corrupt secessionists like him gaining another foothold,” the congresswoman said.
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