Protest march in Tuzla over pimping of minors

(Patria) - Today at 11:55 AM, a protest march will be held in Tuzla, starting from the Home for Children without Parental Care (Kozaračka 11), passing by the Tuzla Canton Prosecutor's Office, to the Tuzla Canton Ministry of Interior (MUP TK), after MUP TK arrested eight individuals suspected of human trafficking and exploitation of minors for sexual services, including four police officers from the MUP TK Police Directorate.

The protest march will also be attended by federal representative Admir Čavalić (SBiH), who has spoken out on social media.

"In the past few days, I have received hundreds of requests, letters, and reactions from citizens of Tuzla regarding the monstrous case of exploitation of minor girls. I have previously reacted to this case, I will attend the protests, and I call on all fellow citizens to do the same and show unity and determination on this issue. Tuzla has a certain culture, and that culture must be defended - anyone who abuses girls behind closed doors, in cafes, or who knows where, is not one of us. May they be cursed in this world and the next.

As an elected representative, I have prepared a series of initiatives and questions for the institutions that bear the greatest burden of responsibility. We need to organize a thematic session in the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, amend the necessary laws, and create adequate programs and accommodations for our most vulnerable - abused minors. In addition, the public deserves answers to a number of questions that remain open.

I note that all of this is terrible, and the question is whether the minors have remained safe. Or will they remain safe, understanding that there are probably even more people responsible for all this - perhaps at higher positions than those currently detained!

As someone who has been dealing with this issue for years and working with women victims of domestic violence, I have absolute empathy and understanding for the above. Especially for children. Now is not the time for populism and aimless wandering, especially for political brokers and daily politics, but for concrete actions and measures. To start, these initiatives should be accepted and answers provided to the questions I have posed (thanks to the Association 'Land of Children in Bosnia and Herzegovina' from Tuzla, which previously prepared these initiatives and sent them - it is my job to emphasize all of that)", stated Čavalić.

During today's protest march, demands for resignations will also be presented.

The eight arrested individuals in the operation are in custody, and during a months-long investigation, the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office documented criminal acts against two minors.

MUP TK has suspended the police officers, and university professor Zijad Jagodić was fired from the faculty where he taught.