BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina — Students marched through the main Bosnian Serb city of Banja Luka on Wednesday, demanding that the regional government build a promised university dorm, lower the price of education and clean up corruption and organized crime.
Bosnian Serb students stage anti-government protest, urge more spending for education
By IRENA KNEZEVIC
June 12, 2013 at 1:45PM
Police banned the protest route but did not react as about 2,000 people marched anyway.
The anti-government protest — the latest in a wave of demonstrations spreading throughout Bosnia — reflects the hopelessness that many young people here feel about their future.
Unemployment in Bosnia is over 20 percent. Students say their regional Bosnian Serb government does not care enough for its citizens and is involved in corruption, nepotism and organized crime. Once they graduate, many young people look for ways to leave the country to look for work.
"Children are our biggest treasure. Well, it will be a good export year," one of the banners the protesters carried said.
Dijana Boric, a 22-year-old student, said that apart from protesting because of the crowded dorms, she came to request a more decent life for everybody.
"I want a fight against this corruption and organized crime and I want jobs to be created," she said.
Anti-government protests are stretching into the second week. Almost 10,000 protested in Sarajevo on Tuesday, demanding lawmakers to stop ethnic bickering, start doing their jobs and make life in ethnically divided Bosnia better for everybody.
about the writer
IRENA KNEZEVIC
In interviews with the Star Tribune, Ryan described life before and after the Russian invasion in the country, where she’s worked to secure the border and help refugees flee war-torn areas.
