Strasbourg Court rulings are crucial for BiH, and that is that all are equal

After the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg today ruled in favor of Ilijaz Pilav in the case against BiH, because he, as a Bosniak from the Republika Srpska, was prevented from running for the BiH Presidency, the Democratic Front, in which Pilav is a member of the Main Board, held a press conference, reports the Patria news agency.

Pilav said that this concerns his appeal submitted after the 2006 election cycle, and after the Central Election Commission rejected his candidacy and after all proceedings before domestic legal instances were conducted, the appeal was sent to the Strasbourg Court in 2007.

- Almost a decade later, we have seen the ruling see the light of day. Incidentally, I want to note that my candidacy was also rejected in the 2010 General Elections, and the entire procedure was repeated. It is significant to point out in the content of the ruling that the Court found elements of discrimination and supported us on all points of our appeal – said Pilav.

Dr. Pilav also noted that at certain moments he was a skeptic.

- My personal opinion is that the Court delayed this for certain political reasons because in the time behind us we also had the „Sejdić-Finci“ ruling, which was a stumbling block in certain political processes. Perhaps from that perspective, the Court tried to leave time for BiH to implement that ruling without adding a new burden in the form of a new ruling. Obviously, all credits have been used up and the ruling has seen the light of day – added Pilav.

He noted that he sees this ruling as personal satisfaction, because here not only are the rights of people belonging to others threatened, but, as is the essence of this ruling, the rights of constituent peoples are also threatened.

- I deliberately will not mention national determinants. My personal mission ends with the legal victory being on the table. The question of whether I will be a candidate somewhere is completely irrelevant to me as an individual. My satisfaction is that I have achieved a victory. All other things do not depend on me – added Pilav.

Asked what could become politically complicated regarding the ruling, as was the case with „Sejdić-Finci“ from which the „Croatian question” arose, although the ruling does not address that, Pilav says:

- Politicians have the right to impose all sorts of things, I don't know what is in anyone's head and what the occasion of this ruling is. If we stick to the fundamental and legal principles of human rights, then it is quite clear what this ruling will suggest – added Pilav

Zlatko Miletić, the general secretary of the DF, pointed out that including the DF, all parties in BiH should feel responsible in the context of all these rulings.

- What is the essence, at least of DF policy, we will indeed insist that every citizen of this country, whether a member of a constituent people or not, if they have the right to vote, they also have the right to be elected at all levels of government – says Miletić.

He adds that he thinks the international community also bears some responsibility with its approach of pushing this issue, which is the most important issue in BiH, aside, while we deal with the census, coordination, and other things that public office holders are not capable of handling.

This is the crucial and most important issue in BiH, and that is that all are equal. When we are all equal, then we will probably be in a position to resolve the coordination mechanism and other things more easily.

- We will insist on implementing this ruling so that we do not wait seven years, and in cooperation with the international community, change the Constitution and Election Law of this country so that we can be better in the future. These people have held us hostage for 20 years on the principle of discrimination based on an ethno-territorial principle. They led us into war and brought poverty. We really must do something on that path. First, change the Constitution of this country, and then all other laws concerning at least legal regulations so that we can be better. We are fighting for power so that these people can be better, but not like other parties that work in the context of how they work on the principles of clientelism, but to make citizens more dignified – added Miletić.