Events and Personalities That Marked 2015

Novinska agencija Patria presents a review of the events that marked 2015, as well as the personalities who left their mark on this year.

January 2015.

Bosnian singer-songwriter Kemal Monteno passed away on January 21, 2015, at the Zagreb hospital "Rebro" where he was being treated for complications after a kidney transplant, but his body could not withstand it.

Monteno died at the age of 67. He left behind numerous hits that he wrote for himself and others, and at his final farewell in Sarajevo, colleagues and admirers of his work attended, both from the region and from other parts of the world.

April 2015.

April will be remembered for the attack on the Police Station in Zvornik. Nerdin Ibrić (24) from the village of Kučić Kula near Zvornik killed one and wounded two police officers while they were at the police station. The investigation into this case was not completed even eight months after the tragedy.

There are two theories about the causes of Ibrić's attack on the police station. One theory, which is mainly promoted by Serbian media and politicians, suggests it was a classic terrorist attack, as Ibrić was allegedly in contact with some radical Islamic circles.
The second theory speaks of Ibrić seeking revenge. It is known that members of the Army of Republika Srpska killed Ibrić's father in 1992, along with dozens of his neighbors. Ibrić, who was a baby at the time, was separated from his mother by the Serbian army. The killed police officer Dragan Đurić was on the list of those indicted for crimes in Srebrenica.

Arrival of Pope Francis

Pope Francis visited Sarajevo on Saturday, June 6, and it was a special honor for all Catholics who came to Sarajevo from all over the world for the mass held at the Asim Ferhatović Hase stadium.

In his characteristic way, Pope Francis gave a lesson on wastefulness, placing special emphasis on the ruling elites. His Ford Focus and modesty, adherence to protocol, interaction with young people, relaxed demeanor, and messages of "Peace be with you" still resonate today in the minds of those who witnessed his stay in Sarajevo. A full Koševo, tourists from all over the world, and all eyes were on BiH that day. No incidents were recorded that day, and Pope Francis departed by plane from Sarajevo Airport, with Sarajevo bidding a dignified farewell to its dear guest.

- Do not build walls, but only bridges - Pope Francis, among other things, told the young people with whom he interacted at the Archbishop's Center for Youth Pastoral Care "John Paul II," where he unveiled a memorial plaque in memory of this Pope after whom the center is named. Even today, at a time when some wish to build walls, it is always necessary to recall the messages that the Pope sent and that he conveyed to the world. "DO NOT BUILD WALLS; ONLY BRIDGES."

EU Agreement Signed

In June, the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the European Union and its member states and Bosnia and Herzegovina was signed. According to this agreement, mutual customs concessions for goods were confirmed. First and foremost, customs concessions for BiH for agricultural products from the EU were defined, as well as customs duties for the import of goods from BiH into European countries. Mutual preferential concessions for certain wines, protection and control of names of wines, spirits, and aromatized wines were confirmed. The issue of land transport, state aid in steel production, and customs concessions for industrial products from the European Union were agreed upon.

20th Anniversary of Dayton Marked

In 2015, the two-decade anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which stopped the four-year bloody aggression against BiH, was marked.

Even today, 20 years later, debates are ongoing about what good and what bad it brought to our country. Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina are generally dissatisfied with the state of the country. Despite dissatisfaction, changes are slow and insignificant. We constantly hear about the "letter" and the "spirit" of Dayton. Politicians are divided. Some want to unpack everything and change everything, while others believe that the Agreement is excellent as it is, but that it just needs to be consistently adhered to. Regardless, the Dayton Agreement is not an obstacle, 20 years after the end of the war, for this country to move forward and strengthen economically.

Commemoration and Funeral in Potočari

On the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, 136 victims of the genocide were buried in Potočari. Numerous delegations came to pay their respects to the victims and their families. The commemoration was attended by the presidents of regional states, including Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, who also experienced an incident when a group of thugs threw objects at him. The investigation into this case has not been concluded. Among the attendees was former US President Bill Clinton.

Protests and Strikes by Workers Due to the Labor Law

The adoption of the Labor Law in both the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska resulted in worker protests.

In July 2015, trade unionists and workers blocked traffic in the center of Sarajevo. They gathered in front of the BiH Parliament building, demanding that parliamentarians not adopt this law.

Strong police forces secured the "people's deputies." Emergency medical services intervened several times. Despite the fierce opposition from the demonstrators, the Law was still adopted.

The end of December was turbulent in Republika Srpska. Workers, led by union president Ranka Mišić, demonstrated in front of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska building.

Unlike the federal protests, these in the smaller BiH entity ended more tragically. Mišić, who was sitting peacefully in the assembly hall, was forcibly removed by security, which resulted in the unfortunate woman ending up in the hospital.

As in the Federation, those in power in Republika Srpska also "cleared the way" for themselves. The law was adopted.

In addition to these two major protests, 2015 was marked by dozens of smaller protests and strikes by disenfranchised workers in both entities, who were seeking basic rights - recognition of service, regular salaries, and health insurance.

Opening of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The doors of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which had been closed for almost three years, were ceremoniously opened on September 16 by removing the boards from the entrance doors, an act performed by children from Sarajevo elementary schools. For days afterward, the Museum was full of visitors, and tourists were delighted with the museum exhibits as well as the Sarajevo Haggadah.

Murder of BiH Armed Forces Soldiers

This year, BiH and the region were shaken by another brutal murder. In mid-October, a young man, Enes Omeragić, killed two soldiers of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Omeragić entered a sports betting shop near the barracks in Rajlovac and fired several shots at the soldiers who were inside the betting shop.
The official investigation did not reveal why Omeragić killed the soldiers. This case is also presented by the media as a terrorist act, although experts have not been able to prove it even more than two months after the incident.

Sports Achievements

The cadet basketball team of Bosnia and Herzegovina won the European Championship title in August 2015. The young BiH basketball players defeated the Lithuanian team 85:83 in the final of the U16 European Championship in Kaunas. Josip Pandža's protégés did not succumb to pressure at any moment and deservedly became European champions. This generation of BiH basketball players will participate in the U17 World Championship in Spain in 2016, and the title they brought to BiH is an event still being talked about. The golden boys defeated the national teams of Serbia, Italy, France, Croatia, Germany, and Spain at this Eurobasket. More than 50,000 people gathered in front of the Eternal Flame to welcome the golden boys.

The cadet basketball team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by coaches Josip Pandža and Enes Numanović, consists of:

- Nikola Đaković, born in 2000 in Gradiška, plays for the club Budućnost BN from Bijeljina

- Adi Alikadić, born in 1999 in Goražde, plays for KK Radnički from Goražde

- Lazar Mutić, born in 1999 in Banja Luka, plays for the youth team of the famous Real Madrid

- Aljoša Janković, born in 1999 in Kotor, plays for the club Partizan TS from Banja Luka

- Amar Barukčija, born in 1999 in Sarajevo, plays for the club Koš from Sarajevo

- Srđan Kočić, born in 1999 in Gradiška, plays for Spars from Sarajevo

- Njegoš Sikiraš, born in 1999 in Pale, plays for the club Stella Azzurra Rome in Italy

- Emir Čerkezović, born in 1999 in Tuzla, plays for Sloboda from Tuzla

- Sani Čampara, born in 1999 in Sarajevo, plays for Spars from Sarajevo

- Džanan Musa, born in 1999 in Bihać, plays for Cedevita from Zagreb

- Timur Ovčina, born in 1999 in Sarajevo, plays for KK Koš from Sarajevo

- Vedran Mirković, born in 1999 in Sarajevo, plays for KK Koš from Sarajevo

In October 2015, the BiH sitting volleyball team, led by coach Mirza Hrustemović, won first place at the European Championship held in Germany, thus winning gold for the ninth time.

The BiH national team recorded all victories without a single lost set. They defeated Hungary, the Netherlands, Serbia, Poland, Ukraine, and in the final, the host Germany.

Mirza Hrustemović's protégés are: Sabahudin Delić (captain), Dževad Hamzić, Asim Međić, Safet Alibašić, Beniz Kadrić, Ermin Jusufović, Muhamed Kapetanović, Nizam Čančar, Ismet Godinjak, Adnan Manko, Mirzet Duran, Adnan Kešmer, Edin Džino, Armin Šehić, Jasmin Brkić, Adin Likić, and Damir Grbić.