Assembly of Islamic Community Mostar Demands Solution for Lakišić's Cemetery from FBiH Government and High Representative

(Patria) - The Assembly of the Islamic Community of Mostar (MIZ), at its regular session held today, adopted two conclusions demanding urgent intervention from the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and political representatives of Bosniaks in the Government of the Federation to act more decisively regarding the status of Lakišić's cemetery in the central city zone.

In the first conclusion, the Assembly of the Islamic Community of Mostar explicitly demands that Christian Schmidt, using his Bonn powers, issue a decision that would enable the Islamic Community unimpeded access and possession of Lakišić's cemetery, as well as impose the issuance of necessary permits for the construction of the Intercultural Center "Mevlana", MINA reports.

Given that the High Representative has resorted to extraordinary powers in politically sensitive situations before, we consider this type of intervention by the High Representative to be a minimum of justice towards the Bosniaks of Herzegovina, and the realization of the religious rights of the Islamic Community - it is specified in the conclusion.

With clear and precise legal arguments, there is also a moral and institutional obligation of the OHR in this case to use its statutory powers to protect the property and religious rights of the discriminated community in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This conclusion was sent to the High Representative ahead of his announced visit to Mostar, with a message that concrete decisions, not symbolic support, are expected from the international community.

In the second conclusion, the Assembly of the Islamic Community publicly called on political entities at the level of the Federation of BiH representing the Bosniak quota to take a more active role in resolving this issue and to respond positively to the requests that the Islamic Community has repeatedly sent them in writing.

It was emphasized that without their political support and institutional engagement, it is not possible to ensure adequate rights and equal status for the Islamic Community in the central zone of the city.

The Assembly stated that it will not remain silent in the face of injustice and discrimination against the Islamic Community and Bosniaks in Mostar and Herzegovina, and that it will continue to publicly point out the responsibility of elected representatives.

Lakišić's cemetery, located in the central city zone of Mostar, has been the subject of institutional, legal, and political disputes for years, and despite declarative support from the High Representative and officials from the federal government, construction activities undefined by law are still being carried out at that location.