"Through irresponsible statements and actions, politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina are instilling fear in people," Roman Catholic bishops in Bosnia said in an open letter published on Friday. They went on to called for "an end to such practices immediately," so that problems could be dealt with "in an honest dialogue."

They adopted a joint statement during a session of the Bosnian Bishops’ Conference in Sarajevo, calling on politicians “to behave responsibly so as to prevent the situation in the country, which is in the worst political crisis since the 1995 Dayton peace agreement, from deteriorating further,” Croatian state agency Hina said.

“The crisis was caused by disputes over changes to the election law and the actions of the Serb entity’s authorities, led by Milorad Dodik, which bring into question the survival of key state institutions and could jeopardize the functioning of BiH as a state,” Hina said, without clarifying.

“The bishops said the rows which ensued had dangerously complicated the situation in Bosnia… They called on all elected representatives and decision makers as well as the media to refrain from harsh words and insults, and to respect the individual and collective rights of people, the constituent peoples and minority groups,” Hina quoted the statement.

“The bishops expect representatives of the international community to help, for the sake of establishing social harmony, finding a just electoral system, and the necessary constitutional and legal reforms… The reforms are necessary for justice in the country and to eliminate any legal and real possibility of outvoting, manipulation and domination as well as to find a legislative system which will ensure respect for human rights and dignity in which every people and minority group will elect its own representatives,” they added.

“Dialogue is the only morally acceptable way which elected representatives must pursue in negotiations on solutions, and it is also necessary to right the injustices and create a feeling of security,” Hina quoted bishops as saying.

The Archbishop of Sarajevo, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, told the press that everyone, he included, had reason to be concerned.

“How can I not be worried when people fear that shooting might start? Only a fool could want a war. Those who can’t engage in dialogue would do best to leave,” Hina quoted him as saying.