Protest Against Discriminatory Constitution

On 25 November, Civil Rights Defender’s partner, Youth Initiative for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina (YIHR BIH), organised a protest against the discriminatory provision of the Bosnian constitution that implies that only members of the country’s three main ethnic groups can hold the highest political offices. According to the European Court of Human Rights, the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina violates the right to free and fair elections and prohibition of discrimination.

On Bosnia and Herzegovina’s statehood day, 25 November, activists of Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR BIH), organised a falshmob protest in front of the Eternal Flame in Sarajevo. They protested against the failure to implement the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, in the case Sejdic and Finci vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the court decision, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its provisions that only members of the country’s three main ethnic groups can hold the highest political offices, violates the right to free and fair elections and prohibition of discrimination under the European Convention on Human Rights. The Court required Bosnia to bring its constitution in compliance with the European Convention for Human Rights. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitution has not yet been amended to remove incompatibilities with the ECHR.

The activists posted the question ”Who is responsible?”, echoing the frustration of young people and other citizens in the country. Three years after the court’s decision, the political elite in the country is not even close to a decision on how to change the discriminatory provision of the Bosnian constitution.

Civil Rights Defender’s partner, YIHR BIH, and its activist group – consisting of activists from Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica, Mostar and Bihac – is actively advocating for constitutional changes. They have organised a series of meetings with representatives of political parties and civil society on the topic.