Peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental right in a democracy and of crucial importance for a pluralistic society. I respect this, said High Representative Christian Schmidt today before the start of the protest in front of the Office of the High Representative (OHR).
“I look forward to an objective exchange on common topics,” Schmidt wrote on Twitter.
The organizations of the informal group “ReSTART Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)” and the “Association of Independent Intellectuals Circle 99” will hold a protest in front of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) building on Friday at 2 p.m.
“Let’s stop the further dismantling of the state, that is, the cementing of the ethno-feudal concept of organization of BiH society into three ethnic groups. By going to the protest, you will confirm that you are in favor of the civil concept of organization of society as the basis for a modern, democratic state of BiH in which the human and civil rights of all its citizens will be respected, as in all European Union (EU)countries,” they state in the call.
They add that if for no other reason, they want people to come out at least “for their children and their future.”
Unfortunately, democracy and the rule of law failed the test, because it is more than obvious that this is pure playing with something that should be the biggest act in our country, which is the Constitution,” warned the Coordination of Veteran Associations in the FBiH.
They believe that the High Representative and part of the international community have directly supported the HDZ BiH in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Dodik in the RS entity.
“We do not want a country that will be ruled exclusively by the HDZ BiH and the SNSD, and through them, by Zagreb and Belgrade. We want a country where all its citizens, including us, will be equal in every inch of our homeland.
We ask and demand that all decisions be made in the parliaments because this is the only way we can respect the constitution and democratic principles, and not be a real protectorate that will constantly fulfill someone else’s wishes, they said announcing tomorrow’s protest rally in Sarajevo.
“It is no longer last minute, that minute has already passed,” they concluded.