The Resolution on Strengthening the Political Position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina” which, at the proposal of the HDZ and the Homeland Movement, will be discussed by the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia, represents an inadmissible direct interference in the internal affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, announced the Democratic Action Party (SDA).
“An attempt by a neighboring country to regulate constitutional issues and changes to the Election Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina with its own resolutions is unacceptable. This can be decided only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to clearly provided parliamentary procedures. Any changes to the Election Law must be in accordance with the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), with which the requests for the establishment of a special electoral unit for Croats are in complete conflict,” the SDA stated, adding:
“If the intention of the proponents of the Resolution is to put pressure on Bosniak political representatives, then this is the wrong way. Just as it is the wrong way to cooperate in this sense with Milorad Dodik, who continuously attacks the constitutional order, leads a secessionist policy, insults Bosniaks in Islamophobic outbursts every day, and whose regime implements apartheid against Bosniaks and Croats in the RS entity.
The frustration experienced by political representatives of Croats is related to dissatisfaction with one position, that of the BiH Presidency. And the complete propaganda about the ‘inequality of Croats’ is based on that. Bosniaks also have frustration, and it is based on hundreds of important positions, because the constitutional principle and legal obligation of proportional representation is not applied. Bosniaks, who make up 50 percent of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, are represented by only 20 percent in management positions in state institutions. Managerial and other important positions in the civil service, where Bosniaks should be, were occupied by Serbs, and to the greatest extent by Croats,” the SDA emphasizes.
The statement adds that Bosniaks are also frustrated by the discriminatory attitude towards them in areas where Croats are the majority.
“A glaring example is Stolac, where 38 percent of Bosniaks live. There are only six employees in the City Administration, which has 120 people, and none of them are in management positions or on boards of directors in public institutions. In order to correct the discriminatory attitude towards Bosniaks, there is no need to adopt any resolutions, change the Constitution or further violate ECtHR rulings. You just need to apply the existing Constitution and laws. Such a step, and not pressure and cooperation with the destroyers of the state, is the way to relax relations and solve frustrations which both peoples have,” the SDA statement reads.
