Veterans to Protest: Demanding Veteran Allowance and End to Selective Prosecutions!

(Patria) - The Unified Organization of Veterans "Union of Veterans" BiH has decided to organize protests after years of unsuccessful negotiations with the Government of the Federation of BiH regarding the introduction of a veteran allowance into the Law on the Rights of Defenders.

The organization's president, Munib Efendić, signed the decision today, which resulted from the conclusions of an urgent session of the Steering Committee held on March 6, 2026. The session's topic was intensive talks with the FBiH Government, which, according to the organization, have not yielded concrete results.

"The Steering Committee has a binding conclusion from the Assembly of December 4, 2025, to prepare the organization of protests if negotiations are unsuccessful. An Organizational Committee has been formed and is already working on preparations," the decision states.

The Union of Veterans emphasizes that the entire process has been ongoing for three years, and over 70,000 veterans have signed a petition submitted to the FBiH Government.

Although a working group was formed and certain negotiations were conducted in the meantime, this organization claims that promises were not kept. In fact, they were deceived.

"Consent was given to the draft law, but we were effectively deceived. Today, we received new promises that the law will be sent to the parliamentary procedure," stated the Steering Committee of JOB-a BiH.

They add that some cantons have already made certain progress, but a systemic solution is needed.

It has been announced that the protests will be held in front of the FBiH Government building, and the exact date and time will be announced later.

Salem Numanović, a member of the Steering Committee of JOB-a BiH and president of JOB Vogošća, emphasizes that the protests are not motivated by financial reasons.

"These are not protests for money, but for dignity. We are all accomplished individuals, but we want a solution. If the authorities have the will, the law can be put on the agenda," said Numanović.

He also warned about what he claims is an unequal approach to the prosecution of war crimes, which is another reason for the protests.

"The victim and the aggressor are being equated, and we also have cases of fabricated indictments. There are people who have been driven to a desperate situation. This must stop. We have members who have been pushed to the wall, people are announcing suicides," said Numanović, adding that he expects punishment for those who were involved in fabricating indictments against members of the Army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of BiH.