We are on the Baricades and Breathe Down their Necks

07 April 2008

The Citizens of Sarajevo informal group has organized, for the past two months, protests against deteriorating security in the city and, as they say, incompetent and irresponsible authorities. We talked about the protests to Nina Stevanovic, a.k.a. Suncica 24, representatives of Gradjani/ke Sarajeva (Note: the interview was taken before the April 6 protests).

Have the authorities showed any will to listen to your demands, having in mind the experiences so far?
No, they haven`t. The Cantonal and City administrations still, sort of, listen to what we say but don`t hear what we want. They don`t work on those demands and, judging from their actions so far, they don`t intend to. So far, no politician in Bosnia and Herzegovina stepped down and resigned because the citizens demanded it. Resignations are rather a tool (ab)used for political purposes, as instrument of manipulation. On the other hand, some visible changes in behavior of Cantonal and City officials prove taht change is possible, but only if we hold our ground, demand responsibility persistently and loudly.

Will there be protests on April 6, after all?
Yes, protests will be held as announced, in front and around the National Theatre, at 19:00 hours.

Do you plan to continue the protests after April 6? Is there a plan or initiative to demand some sort of vote of confidence for the Cantonal Prime Minister or the Mayor of Sarajevo?
Whether there will be protests after April 6 depends solely on the citizens. We can give our individual opinions, but for group action, we need some feedback from the citizens, which we expect to get on April 6. If there is such feedback, we will continue to pressure the officials and seek responsibility.

What if the Police prevents access to the plateau in front of the National Theatre?
We will stand on the barricades. It doesn`t matter if we are one meter closer or father from the entrance of the building, for we will be there. With our voice, numbers and tenacity will force them to see us, hear what we say and know that we watch them and `breathe down their backs`.

What are the official demands of the protests?
Irrevocable resignations by Prime Minister Samir Silajdzic and Mayor of Sarajevo Semiha Borovac; increased safety on the streets of Sarajevo; transparent and functional system and better future for the children and youth of Sarajevo. (For more detailed demands, read here (in Bosnian).

Are there contacts or possible plans to export the protests to other cities, cantons and, ultimately, entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Indeed, there are. We are in constant contact with organizations and individual citizens in Mostar, Tuzla, Travnik, Jajce, Banja Luka. Therefore, we have moved the focus of the protests from safety to all problems that burden the life of B&H citizens. Whether the protest will get more massive and whether we join forces with other cities to put pressure on all levels of government depends not just on us, but on all citizens of the country.