by Nevena Šarenac

Protests in Sarajevo, and in other towns of BiH, which occurred in the past seven days prove that BiH citizens are civic minded, and that social and economic issues are more important than nationalism.

Mass protests ended yesterday in the capital of BiH in front of the building of BiH institutions, with around 10 000 protesters and with protests BiH citizens sent a message to the world how to fight for basic human rights in the most dignified manner and how to democratically express their dissatisfaction with the lack of work of the government.

BiH protesters ask for urgent adoption of the ID number Law at the level of BIH, as well as forming the state fund of solidarity which would help those people who are very ill. They also asked that politicians give up 30% of their pay checks, by the end of the mandate, and donate it to the fund. However, protesters also demanded the implementation of the ‘Sejdić-Finci’ ruling.

Organisers of yesterday’s protests gave the Parliament of BiH deadline that until 30 June they adopt the law on ID Number. Nonetheless, they’ve announced that every day they will protest at 11.55 a.m. in front of state institutions in a protest called ‘Coffee for ID Number’, and so protests continued today as well.

Spokesman of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton Irfan Nefić said that the protests are without incidents and thanked citizens for their peaceful way of expressing their dissatisfaction.

Yesterday’s mass protest started at 11.55 a.m. with gathering of several thousand people. Citizens from other towns of BIH : Mostar, Banja Luka, Tuzla, Goražde, Zenica, Trebinje, Bihać also joined the protest in front of the building of BIH institutions and there was also a significant number of foreigners.

They all agreed on one: no hooligans and no incidents- the protests are to give the support to babies and to better future. So, protests in Sarajevo were marked by numerous banners, balloons, strollers, whistles, toys and children with chalks who sang and played.

BiH musician Damir Imamović gave his contribution to yesterday’s protest, as well as some other protests by playing music.

Protesters also read the public letter to High Representative to BIH Valentin Inzko which states that BIH citizens do not accept the temporary solution related to the ID number law, nor do they accept the improvisation of legal norms and malfunction of our legal system.

Yesterday , the Steering Board of Peace Implementation Council held a special session at which it was concluded that BiH authorities must urgently find a solution for the law on the ID number at the level of state.

Another positive example was the environment awareness, because after the protests finished, citizens collected all garbage in front of the building of BiH Institutions.

And so, Sarajevo has sent a message of dignified and peaceful protests which were held in the spirit of civic unity, and the message to BiH politicians was quite clear: ‘The end of civic apathy is your end’.