On 11th February, Srdjan Dizdarevic will be dismissed from the position of the president of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina – HCHR, and will become a member of Our party (Naša stranka). Except from his membership, he does not expect any position within the party.
“I’m not looking for any position, but we’ll see. I am entering into a commitment and a lot will depend on what my colleagues in our political family, will think and how they will see my commitment. For now, none of this has not been determined”, said Dizdarevic.
As for the motivation for this big step of leaving the NGO sector and entering the political life in B&H, Dizdarevic point out, first of all, dissatisfaction with the situation in B&H.
“I feel that, at least when it comes to my generation, that October elections are the last train to be caught for B&H. On the other hand, I myself sometimes objected that perhaps I am too much at ease and too comfortable in the non-governmental sector and, that a man, if opted for real engagement, should experience this type of engagement, as well and that is political engagement. I think that in this way, I will come clear towards myself, that I have done everything possible to change the situation in B&H for the better”, adds Dizdarevic.
However, talking about Dizdarevic’s ambitions within Our party and in the light of October elections, is too early. He thinks that so far, Our party is the only one that offers an alternative to the political scene, and that the elections are crucial because they fear that the division, ethnicization and even potential final collapse of B&H will be inevitable, unless there is a profiling on the basis of a normal European political context. In other words, B&H as normal functioning country with a market economy, human rights, democratic institutions, and not only the country of Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats.
Mr. Dizdarevic hopes that if it enters the political mindset, to stop thinking about B&H as the experiment, but to start thinking of it as a real, normal European country, then there may be a better solution and perspectives for all of the citizens of B&H, and the region. “What is important, is an element of civic, civil society which, I feel, matures, grows and strengthens, since in recent years it is faced with social problems and is not ready to swallow the deceptions of nationalists. I think that the alternatives do shape the future in relation to identifying who is actually, not only declaratively, for European values and a normal future for B&H, and not for B&H values from 19th century”.
The worst that can happen in October elections, in Dizdarevic’s opinion, is that this situation in B&H continues.
“Favorable option is weakening of SNSD in the Republika Srpska, in the sense that SNSD would not be allowed to have an absolute majority, but would have a strong opposition. A perfect solution would be however, if the parties of multi-ethnic character, but true multi-ethnic character, on the contrary to those parties that have the agenda of "defending their people, would achieve political power and dominance”, says Dizdarevic.
The position of president of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in B&H remains vacant. In two days, HCHR has the Board meeting on which they will definitely determine the name of the new president and present a proposal a week later, at the 11th Assembly of HCHR.
“I hope that the Assembly is a smart and responsible enough to choose a person who will be in line with the tradition of the Helsinki Committee of fifteen years, and who comes with new ideas and ambitions”, hopes Dizdarevic.
