Rally 'Wake Up Bosnia' held in Sarajevo, demand for accelerated EU accession

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - A rally "Wake Up Bosnia" was held today at the Eternal Flame memorial, organized by Restart, which has been organizing protests for several months due to the current political situation and blockades threatening Bosnia and Herzegovina and its stability.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its millennia-old tradition of people of different religions living together and a unique culture of coexistence, is experiencing yet another test in its history. Love, tolerance, mutual understanding and respect are at the core of a prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, today, on the Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina, let us show civic determination in defending the values of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a state of equal and free citizens!

Restart stated that on this day in 1992, 63.4% of Bosnia and Herzegovina's citizens went to the polls and 99.7% of them said "YES" to the independence of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that spirit, we congratulate all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regardless of their ethnic, religious, racial or any other identity, on the 30th anniversary of the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina!

"The war against Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995 was paid for by citizens with their own lives, the loss of loved ones and property, and life in exile around the world. The Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995 brought peace, but the constitutional arrangement of Bosnia and Herzegovina resulted in a dysfunctional state, cementing injustices regarding life, human and political rights and freedoms of citizens. After 30 years, we must decisively say "NO" to a political system that generates discrimination, corruption and injustice. We demand equal rights for every person and the prevention of the creation of artificial crises like the one 30 years ago. The ethno-nationalist concept of government produces divisions, apartheid, corruption and a party judiciary that prosecutes only its opponents while protecting its supporters from legal proceedings. The future we want is not in the tribal cohabitation of so-called constituent peoples, but within Bosnia and Herzegovina on civic principles where equality, justice, freedom and solidarity will prevail. Only in such an environment is economic, social and overall societal progress of the country possible. The judgments of the European Court of Human Rights represent a legal basis for launching an initiative to adopt a civic constitution that eliminates the concept of constitutiveness as a key instrument of neighboring countries in the destruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A civic constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina guarantees us equal rights throughout its entire territory, not only in the electoral process but in all spheres of social life. Therefore, citizens, WAKE UP and get involved in social activism. Protests are our strongest weapon and we must be as massive and frequent as possible until we achieve our common goal. Let us decisively say "NO" to ethno-nationalism and divisions, let us change the depressing present for a future of prosperity, a better life and good neighborly relations," Restart stated.

Professor Alija Kožljak also addressed the gathered citizens, calling on the EU to admit Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU under an accelerated procedure.

The rally was also attended by Azra Zornić, who sued Bosnia and Herzegovina and won a judgment at the European Court of Human Rights.

"We want a civic state, a civic constitution with equal rights for all of us. I am only demanding the implementation of my judgment," Zornić said.