Išerić: Mijatović, deal with concrete issues, not the non-existent effort to create a unitary Bosniak state!

By: A. Čorbo-Zećo

Enver Išerić, a legal expert and recently a member of the People's European Party (NES), commented on the statements of Vojin Mijatović, SDP minister in the FBiH Government, and wondered if this is the stance of SDP as well, or just Mijatović's.

"When the election campaign for the General Elections in 2022 was underway, I was happy that there were people among the Serb people who stood up for the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina in such a heartfelt, open, and emotional way. When I say this, I mean Vojin Mijatović. And let's just mention that he wasn't alone. I congratulated him for that. We should value people for their actions.

But if we are to value and assess actions during the campaign, then we should do the same after the campaign. That's why I cannot accept Vojin Mijatović's latest reaction, in which he sends messages to people who commented on the rebalancing of the Budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina, saying: 'It's terrible what they are saying and lying about, including this latest claim that I am taking revenge on Krajina through the budget rebalancing and similar lies'," says Išerić.

He adds that there are many illogical things in the Budget, so citizens, if not political parties that object to it, should have these things made logical.

"Meaning, they need to be explained and justified. Truly, why did you, not you personally, but the parliamentary majority, plan certain funds completely disproportionately for certain cantons, such as for capital projects and culture. This must be explained, Minister.

And instead of resolving this 'misunderstanding' in such a way, you are going in the completely opposite direction. You are sending a message that 'Republika Srpska will never, ever be independent and you will never, ever make BiH a unitary Bosniak state'," Išerić points out.

Then Išerić adds that he knows Dodik openly advocates for the independence of the Republika Srpska entity, but he does not know, he truly does not know, who advocates for a unitary Bosniak state.

"And I would like to know, Mr. Mijatović, so that I, as a Bosniak, can stand shoulder to shoulder with you in the fight against the secession of Republika Srpska, but also against a unitary Bosniak state. A unitary state, Mr. Mijatović, is a state that has neither entities nor cantons. It only has central government and local self-government. Yes, that is a unitary state! Perhaps Bosnia would function better this way than it does now with these administrative units. But who advocates for it? And for it to be a unitary Bosniak state? Tell us, Mijatović!", Išerić says and adds:

"If you think that advocating for equal human rights for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina is advocating for a unitary Bosniak state, then you are completely wrong. Some political parties and individuals have interpreted and still interpret it that way.

Ensuring equal rights for all citizens, who elect (citizens) their elected representatives, is a civic state. This should not bother me, nor should it bother anyone, nor should it be controversial. A civic state is not the same as a unitary state. Civic states can be unitary states and federally organized states, but under the conditions mentioned above, as well as states that are between those two systems. Therefore, advocating for a civic state is not advocating for a unitary state, and especially not for a Bosniak state".

And when it comes to the Budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Išerić has a question for Mijatović and for the FBiH Government, as well as for the FBiH Parliament:

"How much funds are foreseen for public administration reform? And this is one of the 14 key priorities that should ensure better services for citizens. As far as I know, no funds have been planned for this at all. And not only that, Mr. Mijatović. For ten full years, as the head of an institution involved in, and responsible for, this issue, I have been seeking 'political', formal, and actual support. And unfortunately, I have not received it. Even on this issue, the authorities not only refuse to discuss it but also block the public administration reform process in various ways. The Federal Ministry of Finance has been particularly prominent in this.

Therefore, it would be better, Mr. Mijatović, to deal with concrete issues rather than the non-existent effort to create a unitary Bosniak state. Perhaps for some, a unitary Bosniak state is a state where Bosniaks are the majority. If that is the case, then you, Mijatović, as well as others who incorrectly define a civic and unitary state, are right. But that has not been taught that way in law faculties so far", Išerić concluded.