Barth supports the right to peaceful protests, but also to city safety

A group of citizens protesting in Sarajevo came to the American Embassy today to discuss what concerns them, the Bosnian news agency Patria (NAP) was told by the Public Relations Office of the US Embassy in BiH, in relation to today's protests in front of the embassy building. A group of several dozen demonstrators, after the police did not allow them to block traffic again, headed towards the US embassy. Strong police forces followed them the entire way.

- David Barth, Director of the USAID Mission, and Thomas Mesa, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, met with representatives of the demonstrators to listen to them. On behalf of the American Embassy, David Barth said that the US supports democratic standards, including the right to peaceful protests - it is stated in the response for NAP.

Barth also told the demonstrators that the Embassy understands the social and economic problems faced by many citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as their right to express their dissatisfaction.

- He told this group of citizens that the US, as has been stated on many occasions, supports peaceful protests, but also understands the need for safety in the city. He called on all parties to respect the rules related to the process of democratic protests, refusing to comment on the specific dispute between the police and demonstrators regarding the demonstration location - said the US Public Relations Office.