Saradžić: There is no will to resolve the issue of the constituent status of Serbs in HNK

The Constitution of HNK, along with three other cantons in the Federation of BiH, does not recognize Serbs as a constituent people, writes the Patria agency.

The Collegium of the HNK Assembly once again could not agree to include amendments to the HNK Constitution on the agenda of the next session of the HNK Assembly, in order for Serbs to become a constituent people in this canton.

Vesna Saradžić, Vice-President of the HNK Assembly and a deputy of the SDP BiH in the HNK Assembly, told Patria that she has been fighting for this issue to be placed on the agenda for a second term, but that there is no understanding or support for it.

- I have spent an entire term trying to put the amendments on the agenda, but there is simply no will or readiness to resolve this problem. The Croat Club does not want this issue to be placed on the agenda - said Saradžić.

Saradžić emphasized that at the next session of the HNK Assembly, the date of which is still unknown, she will request that the amendments to the HNK Constitution be placed on the agenda.

- As an excuse for not including the amendments on the agenda, it is stated that it is necessary to wait for the opinion of the Government. However, the Government has not sent that opinion - pointed out the SDP deputy, adding that the Government's opinion is not binding.

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina made a decision on the equality of all peoples 17 years ago, and the former High Representative Paddy Ashdown confirmed 15 years ago that the Constitution of the FBiH must also apply to the cantons, and that all peoples must be equal. However, these decisions have not been respected to this day.

And while the HDZ and HNS daily call for the equality of Croats, during that time the Croat Club in HNK is denying the constituent status of an entire people.

Deputies of the SDP BiH have earlier called for a public vote in the HNK Assembly to finally see who is for and who is against Serbs becoming a constituent people in this canton.