By: Nevena Šarenac
Participants of the JMBG protests call on all BiH citizens to join them on Monday, 1 July in front of BiH institutions in Sarajevo in the struggle for the fulfillment of their demands, along with the clear message “Go Out and Fire Them”.
The initiative of the JMBG announced that civil disobedience, as a non-violent form of struggle, is one of the most efficient ways to exert pressure on the ruling class. With disobedience and through non-violent methods, dissatisfied citizens and could fight for their rights even if they are faced with more powerful and influential opponents. The struggle for children and the law on a unique master citizen number has to be dignified and non-violent, and has to contain elements such as social boycott and/or disobedience, refusal to pay bills, taxes, fees, and boycotting government and legislative services.
“There are some of the ways in which we rebel against the system that has refused to work in the interest of the people for two decades. To begin with, we have chosen one of the most effective ways to combat those who do nothing. We will deny them the most important lever of power: money’’, said in a statement.
One of the city activist’s Šemsudin Miljević told portal ‘Sarajevo Times’ that on Monday in front of the state institutions citizens from all over the country are expected, and they have realized that the protests are not Sarajevan, but rather protests for BiH.
“Monday is not a working day. All well-intentioned people should be in front of the BiH institution building on Monday at 10:00. The more of us there are, the stronger is the message that we are sending. On Monday, do not buy or spend anything and do not fill their budgets. Delay paying bills for all public services; defer payment for penalties and duties to state institutions until 1 August. Do not fill the budgets. Take care of your money. This should be one indicator that we are aware who is paying the politicians and how, and we expect something in return’’, said Miljević.
He appealed for citizens to remain dignified and in a peaceful, non-violent way demonstrate their dissatisfaction, and added that he expects a positive atmosphere.
The protest due to the lack of adoption of a unique master citizen number (JMBG) began on 5 June when a group of citizens with private automobiles blocked the exist from the garage of the BiH Parliament, and the direct cause was a three-month old baby called Belmina Ibrišević from Gračanica who was not able to leave the country for treatment because she did not have her unique master citizen number. The demand was for Belmina to immediately receive a number so that she could seek treatment abroad.
The blockade was soon joined by a large group of citizens, after which all exits from the two buildings were blocked. State parliamentarians, people and guests of the Parliament were not able to leave the building until 4 am the next morning, and were able to leave the building with the assistance of the police.
The protestors demand the adoption of a law on the unique master citizen number at the level of BiH, and sent a request to parliamentarians to reduce their salaries by 30 percent and for this money to be invested in a fund for sick children.
“On the first day of the protests, our demands for the immediate adoption of a law on the unique master citizen number were placed on the daily agenda. The BiH Council of Ministers adopted a temporary solution on the JMBG. On the second day of the protests, Belmina Ibrišević received a passport. On the seventh day, Belmina was relocated to receive treatment, and 3.057 babies received a JMBG. Then, we set a deadline fro 30 June. The deadline in which all they had to do were their jobs and to ensure children their fundamental rights. They should have done the jobs because that is why they were elected. They should have done their jobs, for which they receive excellent salaries’’, said citizens who gathered at the JMBG protests.
