Lejla Kusturica

"Others" in Post-dayton Bosnia and Herzegovina Lejla Kusturica

"This work will deal with one of the most challenging problems of modern Bosnia and Herzegovina ? the political irrelevance and discriminatory status of the so-called ?Others? within the constitutional set-up of the country. The abstract, individual citizen as the basic holder of political rights is practically irrelevant in everyday political life. The state is effectively ruled by the collectives of the so-called constituent peoples (Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs). The constituent peoples are the key holders of all political rights and dominate all political processes, making it virtually impossible for all other citizens who do not belong or do not wish to belong to any of the constituent peoples to execute any significant political power in the country. The Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina defines them as Others." Many attempts for constitutional reforms have failed and country has been deadlocked for many years now. This work will explore how upcoming census and implementation of the Sejdi?-Finci verdict by European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg could affect the current political situation and possibility for establishment of Bosnian Identity.