Diaspora Disenfranchised, Friends Cut
Off
The
Ethnic Cleansing of the “Diaspora Entity”
Professor Emir Ramic, President of the Congress of North American Bosniaks and Mr. Joza Vrljicak, a leading Croatian editor and publicist, as well as leader of the Croat community from Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia now in Argentina, have in the last day published separate alerts about the ever greater marginalization of the Diaspora communities of Bosnia & Herzegovina and the state’s connections with friends, potential investors or those just wishing to visit the country.
Bosniak, Croat and Others Share Concern in BiH’s
Distancing from Diaspora and Friends of BiH
Professor Ramic has rightfully noted that
while the Diaspora is called upon to invest or just spend and send money for
BiH, the Government of BiH and the Office of the High Representative have
exhibited no priority in addressing the needs and rights of the Diaspora
community. In a similar vein of
disregard, three diplomatic representative offices of
The letters and petitions, of Professor Ramic and Mr. Vrljicak and their constituents, must be dealt with urgently and garner an appropriate response, lest the moment is lost with irrevocable consequences.
Diaspora is at least 2X as Numerous as any of the
Largest Cities in BiH:
By Definition, it is the Most Contributing
“entity.”
However, the largest segment of the Diaspora is formed by recent refugees. Many were the victims of ethnic cleansing, genocide, and grave violations of international humanitarian law. Their victimization continues as long as their right and opportunity to being a full fledged citizen of BiH is not protected and addressed in the context of Parliamentary and Ministerial Representation.
Any normal country looking out for the best interests of all of its citizens would look to hold onto its Diaspora and friends. The Diaspora GNP and economic capacity probably exceeds that of the entire private sector of BiH. The Diaspora and friends contributions to BiH’s annual economy have been estimated at over $5 or $6 billion now. That is also more than any promises of funds to be “donated” by foreign governments to BiH’s development. (Of course, the promise tends to vary dramatically from how much is actually delivered and how effectively). The contributions of the Diaspora and friends have all come even while much of the official institutions of BiH have yet a way to develop an effective action plan to implement in attracting business investments. Much of the financial impact is still realized from travelers returning for visits and moneys sent back home.
However, the Diaspora and friends certainly cannot be defined in just direct monetary impact. They serve as conduits for all means of progress, from technological and educational developments to political support. The Diaspora is urged to lobby in their new countries of residence and citizenship on behalf of BiH, but in fact the influence of the Diaspora is marginalized or ignored with most of BiH’s own institutions.
No Blanket Condemnation: the Marginalization of the
Diaspora is Partially Neglect but Large Part Scheme to Complete Ethnic
Cleansing
The still chaotic situation in BiH
institutions and the self defined focus of the Office of the High Representative
may be creating an environment where the “squeaky wheel” gets the oil or at
least first attention. Well, then as the physically and electorally furthest
away from
However, it cannot be ignored that some
forces within and outside BiH would like to complete ethnic cleansing by making
refugees permanent emigrants and further cutting off their ties from the cities,
villages and lands in BiH from where they came. This assessment is completely
logical and validated by the initial plan of “ethnic cleansing” now confirmed by
the International Criminal Tribunal for the former
Unfortunately, some of the “officials” of the international community have allowed this neglect to continue even when it is readily recognizable as an overt effort at disenfranchisement or in furtherance of ethnic cleansing. The pesky Diaspora may not be desirable from their perspective in the political debate within BiH. The Diaspora’s voice is the least likely to be intimidated into silence or compliance. However, such an attitude and consequent policies should be recognized as being in direct contradiction to their mandate: to reverse the consequences of ethnic cleansing and promote BiH’s democracy and open society, including with strengthened ties and integration into the western democracies.
If Economics is Sincere Consideration, Then Better
Options
The apparent motive in closing
Sacrifice of the Innocent on a False
Altar
It is an absolutely inevitable conclusion
that
Closing embassies and consulates for the price tag of Republika Srpska and the entity system is a sacrifice on the innocent on a false altar.
Necessary and Legally Founded Institutions to Represent
Diaspora
Further, unlike most other progressive, democratic states that have embraced their expatriates, BiH’s Diaspora has ballooned as a consequence of genocide and grave violations of international humanitarian law. The present course of neglect, marginalization, purposeful or otherwise ultimately could be challenged as in itself an extension of ethnic cleansing and a violation of international humanitarian law.
Prof. Emir Ramic
Mr. Joza
Vrljicak,MA Ambassador Muhamed
Sacirbey