Student protests in Sarajevo, set for Monday (February 10th), express frustration over the “lack of accountability” from relevant institutions following last year’s floods and landslides in northern Herzegovina and parts of central Bosnia.

The disaster resulted in the loss of 27 lives, with 19 of the victims coming from Donja Jablanica.

Organizers, including informal groups like “Justice for the Victims of Jablanica” and “Do You Want a Change?”, argue that responsible institutions have failed to take substantive actions to address the tragedy.

Amir Čaušević, a student from Džemal Bijedić University, notes that students in Mostar have shown solidarity since the onset of the disaster and are now demanding justice. “We were on the ground, we volunteered, we helped people, and now it makes sense to support the protests,” Čaušević shared with Avaz.

Systematic Challenges and Social Environment

Key demands from the protest include the immediate initiation of investigations, bringing charges against those responsible, auditing quarries and other eco-hazardous projects, and ensuring transparency in aid distribution.

The floods in Jablanica were not singular events; in 2014, floods across BiH also resulted in 21 fatalities.

Chronic issues like quarries, illegal logging, and unregulated construction along torrents exacerbate environmental concerns in BiH, while the absence of forest legislation in the Federation of BiH and the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton aggravates the situation.

Imran Pašalić, president of the Student Parliament at the University of Sarajevo, stated: “We are inviting all students to participate in the protests. Our demands go beyond justice for the victims; we seek accountability from institutions that failed to safeguard citizens.”

Reflections of Serbian Protests

One of the most heart-wrenching accounts comes from Hanadi Maslo of Donja Jablanica, who lost her baby during the floods while eight months pregnant.

“We received no assistance. Four months later, the situation remains unchanged. It’s at zero,” Maslo told N1.

Adi Selman, an activist with “Karton Revolution,” believes the citizens of BiH are ready to voice their discontent through protests.

“The student protests in Serbia serve as an uplifting example. We believe the time has finally come for citizens to recognize their rights and powers and to organize against injustice,” Selman told DW.

Protests initiated by students in Serbia have resonated throughout the region, mostly as a show of solidarity.

In early February, demonstrations took place in Croatia – Zagreb, Split, and Osijek – where citizens honored those deceased due to the canopy collapse at the Novi Sad train station.

Similar gatherings occurred in BiH, with students and pupils converging in Banja Luka on Saturday (February 8th) to express support for Serbian students advocating for political and legal accountability regarding the Novi Sad tragedy that resulted in 15 deaths.

The “Complications” in BiH

Banja Luka psychologist Srđan Puhalo suggests that numerous factors contribute to public dissatisfaction in BiH, but organizing protests with broad societal backing remains a challenge.

He points to last year’s floods, asserting they stem not just from natural calamities but also from human negligence and potential corruption.

“While we have countless reasons for discontent, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s complexities surpass those of Serbia and Croatia, making it difficult to unify protests,” Puhalo informed the Oslobođenje television network. He adds that ethnic divisions, perpetuated by political elites, further hinder solidarity among citizens.

Puhalo emphasizes that it is unclear which government to challenge in BiH due to its intricate political framework: “We have ten cantons, two entities, the Brčko District, and the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina – whom should we hold accountable?”

Although “ethno-nationalists” have historically attempted to suppress collective civil disobedience or public dissent, Adi Selman believes this trend is finally changing.

“Ethnonationalism is retreating because the youth have recognized that three nationalist factions and self-proclaimed ‘liberals’ have been dividing and deceiving us for thirty years to facilitate our exploitation,” Selman asserts.

Students as Catalysts for Change

Consequently, he asserts that the protest in Sarajevo on Monday will represent “a protest for all citizens of BiH.”

“It’s time for all residents of BiH, irrespective of our identities or origins, to unite against injustice and advocate for our survival and future in this region,” Selman concludes.

He strongly believes that students in BiH have the potential to act as the “catalysts for change.” “This has already been demonstrated through online activism; now it’s time to bring that energy to the streets,” emphasizes DW’s interlocutor.

“The reality is that three months after the tragedy in Jablanica, the authorities have yet to take any definitive action regarding criminal accountability,” Selman adds.

The Prosecutor’s Office of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton reports that preliminary investigation efforts are ongoing, but no individuals have yet been summoned for informational interviews, as per media sources.

In light of this, students and citizens are prepared to march with a single demand – justice and accountability for the victims.

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