Citizen Self-Organization: February 7 Protests Not Announced to Police

Individuals calling for new protests on February 7 in Bosnia and Herzegovina on social networks are behind an informal group not registered with any Ministry of Justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina, writes the BH News Agency Patria.

A group called Vijeće građana BiH (Citizens' Council of BiH) and a group called Vijeće građana Sarajevo (Citizens' Council of Sarajevo) have appeared on the Facebook social network, calling for a gathering on February 7 in Sarajevo. They regularly send press releases that are published by the media.

Thus, the Citizens' Council of BiH, in today's press release, called on all BiH citizens to join the commemoration of last year's protests on February 7 at 11:55 AM.

They called on the citizens of Sarajevo to do so with a peaceful protest march from the Hygiene Institute to the Eternal Flame with messages and demands for the authorities, while residents of other BiH cities are called upon to also take to the streets and express dissatisfaction with the difficult economic and social situation in the country.

The Federal Ministry of Justice confirmed for the Patria agency that no organization under these names is in their registers. There are no organizations under these names in the cantonal or state Ministry of Justice registers either.

The names of those calling for the gathering in Sarajevo on February 7 are not known to the public, nor is it known who will take responsibility for this public gathering.

Five days before the announced protests, as we were told by the Citizens' Council of Sarajevo, the police have not yet been officially notified, although this very deadline (today) is legally stipulated as the final date for announcing such gatherings.  

The Citizens' Council states that they are calling for a peaceful gathering.

However, it should be recalled that on February 7 last year, a peaceful gathering escalated into violent demonstrations, in which dozens of police officers and citizens were injured, and many of them suffered serious injuries.

The building of the Presidency of BiH, the building of the KS Government, as well as the building of the Centar Municipality were set on fire, writes Patria.