Schmidt: My order will enable salary payments to NUB, BiH Council of Ministers has 60 days to propose a legal solution

(Patria) - High Representative Christian Schmidt addressed the public today on the steps of the closed National and University Library of BiH, stating that he has issued an order that will enable further work and provision of services to users, as well as salary payments to employees. He also spoke about other institutions of importance to the state.

“The Historical Museum, the National and University Library, the Museum of Literature, the Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Film Archive, the National Gallery of BiH – these seven institutions represent the cultural identity of BiH. They preserve the rich and diverse history of BiH, ensuring that future generations understand and appreciate their common heritage,” said Schmidt, adding:

“These institutions also contribute to reconciliation and mutual understanding as they present the narratives of all peoples. This is not to exclude anyone, but to include everyone, and I would like to invite everyone to contribute in this context. BiH is the founder and owner of these institutions and is obliged to exercise its competencies.”

Schmidt stated that the authorities have failed to fulfill their obligations for decades.

“However, these seven institutions are on the brink of collapse. I must say that BiH authorities have been unable and have failed to fulfill their obligations for decades. Today, I am addressing you from the steps of one of these institutions. The doors behind me, the doors of the NUB BiH, have not been open to the users of this institution for several weeks. We all need to feel responsible, and I especially feel responsible towards this treasury of BiH culture. This institution survived the attack on August 25, 1992, when the City Hall was shelled. We must protect this symbol of tradition and a symbol of our common future,” said Schmidt.

He thanked all employees who worked without salaries and without a single mark paid.

“If this situation had remained as it was, it would have jeopardized the work of the academic community and 78 other libraries in BiH. In a free country, the ability to write books and contribute to cultural development is a cornerstone. Currently, as things stood, it was impossible to publish books in BiH, because these books could not be assigned an International Standard Book Number (ISBN).”

Schmidt said that he decided to prevent further inaction by NUB BiH and to prevent a similar situation from occurring in other institutions of importance to the state, and therefore issued an order today to enable its operation.

“The order pertains to the operations of NUB BiH and six other state-important institutions if they face a similar problem. This is an opportunity to resume the issuance of not only book numbers but also to ensure the functioning of the library. You informed me that you have already lost your phone lines and that there is a risk of electricity being cut off because there is no one to pay the bills. The good news is that we have contacted EP BiH and they said they will wait. Based on the order I have received, you will be able to pay the electricity bills. The order will also provide a legal basis for you to be paid the salaries you have been waiting for for several months.

With my order, I have given the BiH Council of Ministers a deadline of 60 days to propose to the BiH Parliament a law that would regulate the management and financing of these state-important institutions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the KS and FBiH for assisting this institution through their budgets. But these are state institutions, and the entire country needs to contribute to preserving this heritage that they safeguard,” said Schmidt.

Schmidt’s decision takes effect immediately and will be published on the OHR website as well as in the Official Gazette of BiH.

“I am impressed by the information that coalition parties have also discussed the legal regulation of this issue, and I want to thank everyone who is contributing.

This is not just about this immediate issue, but also about the future period where it is necessary to discuss the location where this library will be permanently housed. This library should be located in Sarajevo, and I will strive to find a location and premises for this institution and to preserve all the materials that the library holds,” said Schmidt.