Citizens Send Demands to US Embassy: Criticisms of Matthew Palmer's Work

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - A group of citizens gathered in front of the Historical Museum this morning at 10 AM to send a message to the United States Embassy and express their dissatisfaction with the situation in the country that threatens basic human rights.

Those gathered carried banners related to the US envoy for electoral reform processes in BiH, Matthew Palmer.

"While the constitutional order is being dismantled in one entity, Palmer is creating another entity in the FBiH" and "Palmer, thank you for handing us over to the Russians," were clear messages from the gathered citizens.

Citizens called on US President Joe Biden to visit Sarajevo.

One of the protest organizers, Suad Đozić, said that citizens gathered in front of the US Embassy due to recent events and the visit of Mr. Matthew Palmer, the US envoy for electoral reform in BiH.

"People are a bit confused by the stances. We know that the US is a friend of BiH. We now expect help from the US President so that Mr. Palmer does not cast a shadow on sovereignty. We have sent our demands to the Embassy," said Đozić.

He added that they will continue with these activities and protests.

The demands they previously highlighted, and reiterated today, are:

- We, the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, believe in friendship with the United States of America and expect President Biden's help in preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are currently facing an open institutional attack, including threats of force.

- We ask you to send experts who will demand that institutions protect the human and all other rights of citizens, not to trade with political leaders who do not recognize the judgments of international courts (International Court of Justice, European Court of Human Rights, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia...)

- We demand that the international General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina not be changed partially, but substantially, based on clear principles that will include the values we have had for centuries as a multi-cultural society.

- We welcome the Principles for Amending the BiH Constitution drafted by non-governmental organizations VKBI, HNV, SGV, and the Forum of BiH Parliamentarians. We demand equal rights and equal responsibility for every citizen of BiH.

- The citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina will not allow the constitutional order to be changed by force.