AFTER DECISION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF BIH, CITIZENS OF BIHAĆ ARE ON DUTY IN FRONT OF BIRA

BIHAĆ, (Patria) – Several dozen citizens have gathered in front of the former Bira factory in Bihać, keeping watch even in the rain due to the decision of the Council of Ministers of BiH to transfer migrants from Lipa to this facility, which served as a migrant reception center until September 30, 2020.

Citizens of Bihać are disappointed with the decision of the Council of Ministers of BiH, but they clearly state that they will not allow migrants to come. Cantonal and local authorities have also stated the same. They are guided by the decision of the Assembly of Una-Sana Canton that Bira is to be closed and that the Lipa reception center is the designated facility.

"We have decided not to allow them entry, even at the cost of our lives. This is not the only facility in BiH where migrants can be accommodated. I did not give my life in the war, and I will lay it down here. Discrimination cannot be made between cantons. It cannot be done in Republika Srpska, but it can be done in our canton," say the residents of Bihać.

They have been gathering in front of Bira for 90 days to prevent this center from being reopened.

The operational group made several conclusions this morning, calling on state institutions to take over all activities and make the Lipa reception center operational by transferring the accommodation containers from Bira. They also called on the competent prosecutor's offices to investigate the actions of the Service for Foreigners' Affairs and the Ministry of Security during uncoordinated attempts to relocate migrants from Lipa outside the territory of Una-Sana Canton, which has complicated the health-epidemiological and security situation in the Una-Sana Canton and endangered the lives of illegal migrants. We demand that the legality of the decisions of the Council of Ministers of BiH regarding the declaration of temporary reception centers in the Una-Sana Canton be reviewed.