Citizens' protests in front of the OHR on January 10

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - As part of global protests in Brussels, Washington, London, Geneva, Ottawa, Oslo, Rome, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Manchester, Toronto, and many other cities, a group of civic activists gathered around Restart is organizing protests in Sarajevo in front of the OHR building titled "CITIZENS' AWAKENING". They have held seven peaceful protests in front of various institutions so far.

The protests will be held between 12 PM and 2 PM.

The demands of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards the OHR, PIC, QUINT, EU Delegation, and European Commission are:

1. Citizens demand decisive measures from the UN, NATO alliance, and the European Union in preserving peace and stability in the Western Balkans;

2. Citizens demand the implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and the cessation of all negotiations aimed at preserving the existing situation in BiH and deepening decades of discrimination and ethno-rule;

3. Citizens demand that the PIC give unconditional support to the High Representative for the use of Bonn powers in BiH, for the full rule of law;

4. Citizens demand that the High Representative (OHR) immediately order the cessation of the blockade of state institutions (i.e., stop admitting those who are blocking);

5. Citizens demand that the High Representative (OHR) immediately annul all decisions of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska on the so-called return of competencies, as these competencies were not taken away, but transferred to the state level in accordance with the BiH Constitution and law, making the 'return' to the entity level in this manner an act of state coup;

6. Citizens demand that the High Representative (OHR) order the implementation of all judgments of the Constitutional Court of BiH, as this is the most serious step towards establishing a full legal order in the country;

7. Citizens demand that electronic voting (optical scanning of ballots) be ensured in the next elections;

8. Citizens demand the unconditional application of the provisions on the prohibition of genocide denial and the elimination of the effects of genocide in accordance with UN Resolution 56/83, according to which member states undertake not to recognize any situation arising from a breach of peremptory norms of international law (genocide) as lawful, nor to provide support or assistance in maintaining such a situation;

The principles of coexistence and democratic standards of the EU are being defended in Bosnia and Herzegovina (and if they were to be violated, it would lead to a chain reaction in some EU member states).

Conditions for participation:

1. Due to epidemiological measures, citizens are obliged to wear masks and protect other participants, and maintain distance.

2. There are no party symbols. Anyone equipped with party t-shirts, flags, and other paraphernalia will be removed from the gathering. This does not mean that citizens who are party members are not invited.

3. Offensive content on banners is not allowed and will also be removed.

4. Larger organized arrivals must be announced to the organizer.

The protests have been announced and reported to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Medical Services, and Fire Department.

"Let's come out and express our views peacefully and with dignity to the international community, i.e., demand that the voice of the citizens be heard, all for the sake of a more normal and functional state. As on the previous occasion, we expect to be received for a meeting at the OHR, as well as at the EU Delegation," stated ReSTART.