Protests in Bosnia: violence is unacceptable but political leaders should listen to the wake-up call

“Violent acts on all sides involved are unacceptable but the people’s protests should be heard”, said the European Parliament’s Rapporteur on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Doris Pack MEP, commenting on the civil unrest in the country which is at its worst since the 1992-1995 war.

“Non-peaceful demonstrations devaluate the people’s demands. These demands are fully legitimate. High unemployment, economic stagnation, corruption and most importantly the lack of interest from the country’s political leaders to consolidate and develop the common state are causing public dissatisfaction and this is very well understood", added Pack, who visited Sarajevo on Friday.

“Citizens have the right to express all their aspirations through peaceful means and the authorities have no right to impede them. These events are a wake-up call which should be heard by the country’s political leaders and should lead to better and more responsible governance”, the EPP Group MEP concluded.